Seems some troublemakers have been questioning the accuracy of those relay take-off systems used in big meets. Platform manufacturers are fighting back, claiming those three hundred shots of DQ'ed relays - showing legal starts - must have been PhotoShopped.
edited 9:25 a.m. - I thought that throwing in a number like three hundred would indicate this passage was pure fiction. I was wrong. I should have put "million". Sorry!!! I promise that I've wiped that smile off my face...
Still don't know what all the fuss is about? Modern-day Rip Van Winkle's should catch up here and here. Comments are included.
It was suggested that we take a look at the product info to learn more. I don't know how y'all feel about it, but I've heard that learning more takes effort and isn't cool.
Still, if nobody's looking and you want to be all nerdy, visit the Daktronics Relay Take-Off Platform page here. There are several links toward the bottom that will take you to PDF's with important information.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The Relay Take-Off Platform is a sensor that precisely detects the moment a swimmer loses contact with the platform during a relay. The Relay Take-Off Platform (RTOP) with the Daktronics OmniSport® 2000 timing system and Daktronics T-6000 series touchpads accurately measure the relay exchange to 1/100th of a second as required by the rule book. New technology allows the RTOP to sense human contact rather than force. A swimmer may be laid out perfectly horizontal and their toes are still touching the platform, but there is no force.
What you need to know
• The RTOP senses human contact and not pressure or force.
The RTOP is not affected by:
- loose blocks/block vibrations
- weight of the swimmer
- hop starts
• Three components working together measure a relay exchange:
1. RTOP triggers the timing console when a swimmer has left the block.
2. Touchpad triggers the timing console when a swimmer finishes his/her leg of the race.
3. Timing console (OmniSport® 2000) registers all inputs from the RTOPs and touchpads. The timing console compares the last input received from the RTOP to the touchpad to calculate the exchange.
So there! Sounds like they're infallible! Now, doesn't that set your mind at ease? Next up? The awesome potential of Cold Fusion!
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ATAC BB
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CFSC
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MAC
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PACK
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SPA
SPA Time Trials
What a load of you know what... Is it even possible to photoshop an entire video???
ReplyDeleteNOTE: On the SOCA DQ - the official results indicate that the pads and lid malfunctioned - there are no splits and an NRT. This cannot be "photoshopped". This DQ should have been overturned without even having a photo or a video.
Attack the victims - way to go manufacturers...
got one!
ReplyDeletenext?
Glad to see that the manufacturers have entered the dialogue. Maybe they can explain why they were only 97% accurate (or 2 sigma in manufacturing quality terms)at this meet (3% NRTs) when they need to be at a 99.999% accuracy (6 sigma).
ReplyDeleteIs anyone really blaming the equipment fully? It is clear that there were some anomolys with the equipment but ultimately I don't believe people want the equipment thrown out but I do believe folks are saying that we need to have dual confirmation - just like the NCAAs and TAGs and Sectionals and NFHSs.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the manufacturers can sit down with the officials, coaches, swimmers, and parents - with the output from the TIMING CONSOLE and the hytek system (will the UIL RELEASE that information for the GOOD of the dialogue, to PROTECT the swimmers and for the HEALTH of the sport?- and walk through how the technology interacts. In the same meet there were also pad failures on individual swims where rules allow for adjustments.
ReplyDeleteI find the comment by the manufacturers to be a sad statement. These kids are first of all ATHLETES who want a JUST playing field. They do not want to win unfairly. Agree, no one is asking them to throw out technology - the swim community is asking for it to be used with PROTECTION for the athletes. Nothing is infalible. No one is infalible.
ReplyDeleteWhen a big company like Daktronix starts accusing parents of photoshopping pictures..... Someone is starting to feel the pressure!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above caller. No splits and NRT on the blocks. The meet referee is as much to blame for this as the electronics.
ReplyDelete