Machine vision system measures performance of swimmers

Swimmers competing at the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships from July 19 to August 4 in Barcelona will have their biomechanical data measured by an advanced image-processing system.

Designed and implemented by STT, a motion-capture technology company in San Sebastian, Spain, the system called “InThePool 2.0” will monitor swimmers in each line. Two rows of five Allied Vision Technology (AVT) Mako GigE Visioncameras are positioned above each of the eight lanes to capture images to be processed in real time by STT InThePool software. AVT Mako cameras feature resolutions from VGA to 4 Mpixel and both CCD and CMOS image sensors. In addition, the cameras have global shutter and deliver up to 300 images per second at full VGA resolution.

STT selected the AVT cameras, which are supported by imaging specialist INFAIMON, specifically because GigE is the best interface to bridge the long distances between the cameras on the ceiling and the host computers, according to the AVT press release.

The data gathered by the machine vision system will include pass times, velocities, turns, stroke frequency, and amplitude. Gathered data will be compiled into statistical reports to provide valuable information to the individual swimmers, teams, and trainers enabling them to analyze each swimmer’s performance and compare with each other. In addition, the data may be used by T.V. broadcasters to enhance viewer experience.

View the AVT press release.

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