CURLING INFORMATICS
We aim to establish “curling informatics” for the purpose of next generation curling to win and to train athletes.
Research Background and Issues
Curling is attracting attention as a promising sport with great room for development. The development of supportive technology has also become an important issue in the modern sport. Therefore, we have set up a laboratory at the Algografix Kitami curling hall and are developing a project aimed at providing scientific support for curling. In particular, we aim to provide scientific support for the key elements that give curling its nickname “chess on ice”: tactics and strategy.
Research Objective
The aim of this project is to support curling scientifically and to improve the competitiveness of the athletes.
Initiatives to Solve Issues
Construction of a curling version of the game database
- Technology to record information
- Technology to share information
- Technology to visualize information
- Technology to analyze information
Collaboration with Research Center for Winter Sports Science
Research Center for Winter Sports Science was established in April, 2008. The Center is an unprecedented research organization that is closely connected to the local community and is dedicated to the study of winter sports from an engineering and scientific perspective. In cooperation with the Center, we aim to develop and establish winter sports in the region and improve the competitiveness and international success of winter sports athletes.
DIGITAL SCORE BOOK iCE
Overview
The digital scorebook “iCE” is an application that records and analyzes match information. It has a function to suggest shots based on past matches and a function to calculate team and individual shot rates for each end of the match. Our laboratory has obtained a patent for this technology. (Patent No. 6435119)
Achievements to Date
- Conducted detailed analysis of match data (created match summaries)
- Clarification of the characteristics of the world and Japan’s top level
- Tactical role of each position
- Characteristics of shots and scoring opportunities for each team
- Application to Stat Analysis Support System for Live Broadcast
We have succeeded in such projects above
INFRARED STONE TRACKING SYSTEM
Overview
The infrared stone tracking system is actually in use at Argographics Kitami curling hall. The system uses a camera and LED to measure the position of the moving stones and calibrate them with the infrared LED module placed under the ice. The position of the stones will be calculated by analyzing the images taken by the camera and creating a trajectory.
Achievements to Date
In collaboration with the University of Electro-Communications and Hokkaido University, we have successfully developed an infrared stonetracking system.
In developing the red infrared stonetracking system, we have succeeded in developing various technologies such as:
- The technology to use red light considering the reflection of ice is applied.
- Development of a compact module that emits red light
- A mechanism to recognize stones by processing the images from an infrared camera is implemented
- A mechanism to grasp the position of the stones and record and display the trajectory of the stones
- Repeatedly conduct demonstration tests in curling rinks to evaluate performance.
- The largest measurement error is a few centimeters
- Technology to project the recorded trajectory onto the ice
AI SIMULATION SYSTEM
Overview
In collaboration with the University of Electro-Communications and Hokkaido University, we are developing digital curling and tactical reasoning AI. The aim is to use human intelligence for tactical and strategic navigation. The aim is to provide tactical and strategic navigation using human intelligence. The data is shared and used on the server.
Achievements to Date
We have succeeded in
- Development of a simulator that can implement curling tactics and strategies
- The development of various human intelligences to reason about tactics and strategies.
We expanded the training data by holding “Digital Curling Competitions” where human intelligence was pitted against each other. The best AI currently has the tactical reasoning ability of a university curling team.
ATHLETIC MOTION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Overview
It measures up-and-down, left-right, and torsional movements, and wirelessly transmits the measurement results to a PC for analysis. The results are wirelessly transmitted to a PC for analysis. The system shows how efficiently the power of sweeping is being transmitted, and is used in training by the curling team at Kitayama University of Engineering.
Achievements to Date
Sweeping is a fundamental and important part of curling.
We have succeeded in developing a sweeping power measurement device to measure sweeping.
DEVELOPMENT OF A CURLING ROBOT
Overview
In collaboration with Shinshu University, we are working on the development of a stone-throwing robot.
Achievements to Date
We have succeeded in
- Implementing a mechanism to hold (grip) the stone
- Implementation of a mechanism to eject the stones
- Implemented a program to control the robot.
This robot is intended for training, training support, and competition with humans.
- Identify and improve issues through experiments against human competitors.
- Application to elucidate the mechanism of stone bending
We will continue to work closely with our clients to develop new products and services.
We are also conducting various other studies on curling.
For more information, please see the following page.
Future Perspective
- Collection of experimental data and support for demonstrative competitions
- Further improvement of iCE
- Development of virtual competition support technology using xR technology
- Realization of remote competition instruction
- Supervision of ice making from remote locations
