Fujitsu and Lapis Semiconductor Improve Windsurfing Skills with IoT

For the first time in windsurfing, the technology will help in using data to understand sail handling. This would allow competitors to compare their data with those with higher ranks, thereby enabling in discovering ways to improve their sailing skills by looking at differences in handling 3D models and numerical values. 

 

 

 

 

A miniature sensor node device is attached to the sail, which simultaneously records both the angles of sail movement and the speed and course of the board, and uploads that data to the cloud. The cloud data will be subjected to an analysis, eliminating the influence (vibration noise) of things like waves, using an attitude estimation algorithm (also used in attitude control for robots and drones) calculating accurate angles. 

 

This enables comparisons between sail movement at various times in the context of the speed and direction of the board. Going forward, if it were thought necessary to collect other data, such as the body position of the competitor, during the course of the field trial, integrated data analysis could easily be done just by adding sensors.

 

 

The analyzed data can be checked by switching between varieties of display formats, including 3D models, numeric values, graphs, and oceanic maps. Competitors can objectively evaluate their sailing ability through the movements of 3D models and numerical values, and compare their data with that obtained from higher-ranked competitors.

 

 

 

It will provide space for the field trials and recruit competitors for participation, promoting and evaluating its use in the improvement of sailing skills of the competitors. It will also undertake promotional activities to raise the level of Japanese windsurfing and expand the number of people competing. 

 

 

It will analyse different types of sensor data collected in the cloud by providing an application that will analyse and display it as meaningful data. The application will visualize this data in 3D models and graphs, thereby supporting improvements in windsurfing technique.

 

 

It has developed the WindHack and WindHack Pro sensor boards for use in this field trial. This would improve windsurfing technique, using the Lazurite IoT reference design.

 

 

Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 155,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers.