An engineering student at London's Brunel University has created "smart goggles" for swimmers that log lengths and time.

The Inview goggles display a lap count and time elapsed on their lenses so swimmers can track their progress - using a built-in compass to trigger when swimmers complete lap lengths.

Industrial design student Katie Williams, designed and built the Inview goggles for a third-year project on an Industrial Design course at Brunel University.

Williams invented the goggles to allow swimmers to concentrate on their strokes rather than what lap they were on - the idea originated from past experiences as a lifeguard at her local swimming pool.

The Inview goggles rely on a compass that orients itself when a swimmer first enters the pool and spots when a swimmer changes direction and logs a lap.

According to Williams, the prototype electronics package housing compass and lap counter are the size of a small stone, and would be a bit uncomfortable to swim with.

The electronics on a finished product would be no bigger than a quarter and would sit unobtrusively on the goggle's rear strap.