Image used with permission of the copyright holder
In the sports world, computers are used to analyze everything from the golf swing to the speed of a tennis ball serve. The technique is used in the World Cup to determine whether the ball has actually crossed the goal line. Now Adidas has created a high-tech soccer ball that can measure impact and trajectory, delivering information that could help improve a player’s technique.
Dubbed “the world’s first app-enabled intelligent soccer ball,” the Adidas miCoach Smart Ball uses a “six-axis MEMS accelerometer sensor package” to measure ball impact, ball spin, impact points, and even visual flight path. A sensor package is suspended in the middle of the ball, which continuously measures the movement and impact of the ball and sends the data to a smartphone or tablet in real time. The ball connects to the miCoach Smart Ball app for iOS developed by Adidas via a Bluetooth Smart chip (also known as Bluetooth Low Energy) manufactured by Nordic Semiconductors.
A smart ball’s six-axis MEMS accelerometer sensor package, suspended inside the ball. Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Previously, coaches and athletes could only analyze with their eyes. With the data, the coach can now scientifically train his players to change their hitting techniques; even for non-professional athletes, they could study their results afterwards to see what they could fix to improve their game. The app even includes instructions to help coaches and players improve their skills.
Adidas miCoach Smart Ball app for iOS. Image used with permission of the copyright holder
In order to create a ball that meets sports regulations, Adidas “had to develop our own proprietary wireless induction charging solution to eliminate the need for any external charging socket on the ball,” said Ian Munson, senior electromechanical engineer on the Adidas Innovation Team who created Smart Ball. “This is used to charge a 160 mAhr Li-ion polymer battery embedded in the orb that powers all the onboard MEMS, data logging and Bluetooth Smart wireless electronics.” The ball can be kicked 2,000 times a week before it needs to be recharged.
The ball is available now through adidas.com or Apple’s online and retail stores. The ball sells for $300.
This is not the first time Adidas has implemented technology in a soccer ball. He equipped one of the 2014 World Cup balls with six cameras that can capture 360-degree panoramas.
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn