Measurement and analysis technology

## Manufacturing Technology

## 3 D Measurement System for Golf Ball Initial Trajectory

Keyword: Utilization of optical/image measurement technologies, Matching of university's technologies and business technical needs, Personnel exchange in local companies/communities

Organizations Involved

○ Koichi Nishino, Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University

☐ Hiroshi Saegusa, Assistant manager, Sports Engineering Department, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.

In this system, a 3D position is measured by stereographing a mark on the golf ball with a single camera, enabling real-time trajectory display. This system provides higher accuracy ( $ \pm5 $ yards) in the driving distance simulation.

## [Summary of the technology transfer]

【Abstract】Yokohama National University and Yokohama Rubber started collaborative development of this system in 2003, and its application in business in 2006. In this development, the system was realized by combining the image measurement technology Prof. Nishino possesses and the manufacturing technology of the measurement system Yokohama Rubber possesses.

## Technological Impact

Utilizing the optical/image measurement technologies, a moving distance is calculated from the displacement on images taken from two directions to establish the technology that calculates 3D positions.

## Market Impact

The first step of the development was calibration automation of the camera to be used and its program development, and the second step was the development of the 3D position calculation program that analyzes images based on the technologies developed in the first step. Thanks to these technologies, 3D measurement became possible with higher accuracy that has never been achieved.

Yokohama Rubber commercialized the system as a product “Initial Trajectory Measurement System RED EYES” in 2006, and is selling it to its nationwide dealers as a sales promotion tool. Since the product is receiving high praise for its excellent accuracy for flying golf ball simulation during trial shot, sales volume of this product is planned to be increased in the future.

Professor

Nishino

## ●Special Features of the Collaboration

Yokohama National University has proactively promoted university-industry collaboration for a long time while striving to exchange personnel in local companies and communities. Due to such activities, business development needs were appropriately matched with the university's technologies for the development of this system.

Assistant manager

Saegusa

## Project Background

Yokohama Rubber requested technical development support, and the collaborative project started based on the idea that university’s 3D fluid measurement technology is applicable.

## Funding History

To develop this and related technologies, the collaborative project was carried out in the following framework:

1. FY2001: Funded research

2. FY2003 to 2004: Collaborative research

## I ntellectual property protection

## Measurement system structure and measurement principle

Patent pending number. Japan 1

Overseas 3.

“Apparatus and method of measuring the flying behavior of a flying body. Japanese patent appl. no.2004-105165” etc.

• Head speed

• Ball speed

• Vertical launch angle

• Horizontal launch angle

• Backspin

• Sidespin

·Carry

·Hook/Slice

·Total driving distance

Simulation accuracy of driving distance: $ \pm $ 5 yards

## Turning point in the Project

O'Promotion of mutual understanding between university and business

O'Building up mutual trust by exchanging personnel in local communities or companies in daily activities

O'Proper matching of business needs and university's technology

O'Clarification of business needs and identification of technical development items