Smart Cricket Ball

Project Title

Smart Cricket Ball

Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject Summary Introduction

Our unique project named "The Smart Cricket Ball", is driven by a high motivation to build an inexpensive and accurate tool to measure the ball's release speed and spin, without the need of a trained operator. The features of the Smart Cricket Ball are as follows;

• It will measure Ball Speed and Spin

• Sensors fit inside cork

• Bluetooth connectivity with a mobile device

• SMART Cricket Ball Mobile application

We will be measuring the ball's spin (revolution per second) by using 3 high-speed single-axis Gyroscopes placed orthogonally and release speed (kmph) by using 3-axis Accelerometer. These sensors will be interfaced with a microcontroller having wireless connectivity with a mobile phone application via Bluetooth.

Motivation

In Pakistan, cricket has a great scope but it lacks the support of modern technical equipment. So, due to this reason, Pakistan's cricket suffers deeply. Many countries around the world have integrated modern equipment to analyze and create new techniques in the game of cricket. Pakistan's cricket balling is blessed with great talent but it cannot be polished enough without the use of modern technology. So our aim is to contribute our part in modernizing Pakistan's cricket by developing an inexpensive tool that will be readily available to all cricketers in Pakistan. Moreover, the IT Ministry of Pakistan has shown a great interest in the development of Smart Cricket Ball.

The apparatus used in measuring the speed and spin of a cricket ball is expensive and not easily available for matches and training in Pakistan. Also, professional operators are required to operate these instruments. More importantly, speed measured from stationary Doppler Radar System results in speed bias because speed is recorded at the same point regardless of the height of the bowler or delivery plane. Thus, bowlers with low release point are at disadvantage. There is currently no reliable way to calculate spin. Hawk-eye camera system measures spin only if the ball remains clean.

Project Objectives

Our objective is to convert our project to a commercially viable product with sustainable growth and quality production. This project aims to revolutionize the game of cricket in Pakistan. We have an incremental approach to develop and design the Smart Cricket Ball. At first, we are only aiming to measure only the two key performance parameters i.e. ball's speed and spin but later on, we would look for more opportunities in this project once we accomplish our FYP objectives.

Our ball will change the game of cricket in Pakistan in two ways. Firstly, it will improve the training methods in our cricket academies. Secondly, it will help our academies in recruiting a good lot of fast and spin bowlers from all over the country, at a very early stage in the career of the cricketers.

Project Implementation Method Modules

• 3 axis- Accelerometer SEN-14880:  It has the ability to endure a high level of stress of 10000g (car crash testing).
• 3-axis- Gyroscope: Three Single Axis ADXRS649 placed at right angles will measure angular spin rate. The output signal is a voltage proportional to the angular rate of the system around the axis orthogonal to the surface of the chip.
• Microcontroller: Arduino Beetle BLE (ATMega328P).
• Bluetooth module: CC450 fit inside Arduino Beetle BLE (50 m Open Field Range).
• Power Switch:  This is implemented through the Normally-Closed Reed switch.
• QI Wireless Charger 2.0: The receiver is mounted beneath the seam of the ball to charge the battery wirelessly. The transmitter is fit inside a box.
• Battery: Lipo battery LPR703535 round battery 3.7V @ 785mAh.

Implementation

The size of the Smart Cricket Ball is same as the normal cricket ball which is 2.86 inches (diameter). The outer diameter of the cork is 2.5 inches while the inner diameter of cork is 2.2 inches. We will fit the circuit inside the cork and for the protection of the sensors, we will place the foam inside the vacant capacity of the cork. An extra protection made up of nylon 6/6 shell will be placed covering the cork of the ball to provide extra protection for sensors and circuitry. The ball will be well balanced so that there is no difference in the response of Smart Cricket Ball and the real one that is being used in professional cricket. 

Testing Procedures

Testing Procedures for Spin Rate

Spin rate measurement will be tested separately tachometer in Machine Lab. For this purpose, Cricket Ball will be mounted on a motor setup. The angular velocity reading on the tachometer will be compared with spin rate measurement from Cricket ball.

Following are the steps to test spin rate of the ball on all three axes and one arbitrary plane of rotation lying between any two axes.

Steps

1. Mount the ball in desired plane or axis over the motor’s rotor.
2. Attach tachometer to motor pins.
3. Rotate the motor at 5rps, 30 rps, and 40 rps for at least a minute each.
4. Take the mean of the spin rate data collected on the microcontroller.
5. Record tachometer reading.
6. Compare the mean spin rate with the value from the tachometer.

Testing Procedures for Ball Speed

Accuracy of Ball speed measurement can be verified using Doppler Speed Gun available at the cricket stadium.

Benefits of the Project

Single Solution

The Smart Cricket Ball will replace the need of two devices i.e. the Speed Gun and the Hawk-eye for the measurement of the ball's speed and spin respectively.

Cost-benefit

Smart Cricket Ball's price is many times less than the Speed Gun (around 250,000Rs) and the Hawk-Eye system is even more expensive.

Ease of Use

No trained operators are required. Even an average individual would easily be able to use this device.

No Biasness in Ball's Speed

Speed measured from stationary Doppler Radar System results in speed bias because speed is recorded at the same point regardless of the height of bowler or delivery plane. Thus, bowlers with low release point are at disadvantage. The Smart Cricket Ball would not result in speed bias because it does not measure the ball's speed with respect to a fixed plane.

Reliable Spin Measurement

Hawk-eye camera system measures spin only if ball remains clean but an in-built sensor in the ball will not be affected by an external event like this.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

• The Smart Cricket Ball offers to measure the ball spin rate of 55 revolutions per second, which is higher than the maximum spin rate ever recorded (maximum recorded spin rate is 42 revolutions per second).
• It will easily measure all ranges of ball speeds ever recorded in the game of cricket.
• Bluetooth connectivity range is 50m in the open field.
• The battery can last in full operation for around 8 hours.
• The charging will be done by placing the ball inside a box that contains the wireless charging port.
• The ball turns ON when the ball is taken out of the magnetic box and turns OFF when it will be placed inside the magnetic box. The ball also turns OFF if placed in stationary condition for more than 5 minutes.

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry ManufacturingOther IndustriesCore Technology OthersOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	66520
EVAL-ADXRS649	Equipment	3	16350	49050
SEN-14880	Equipment	1	1920	1920
Arduino Beetle BLE	Equipment	1	3850	3850
LPR703535	Equipment	2	1000	2000
Shipment Cost (From Germany)	Miscellaneous	1	9700	9700