Claims and allegations of foul play and favouritism in boxing may soon be a thing of the past with scientists coming up with sensor-studded vest, gloves and head protector to record blows and points.
The Automated Boxing Scoring System (ABSS), developed jointly by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO) can in fact make judging less contentious in events like the Olympics.
Scientists placed sensors in the lightweight vest, gloves and head protector to record punches and points are sent through wireless technology to a large screen for the viewers.
President of the Amateur Boxing International Association Wu Ching-Kuo watched the demonstration in Bangkok during the King’s Cup boxing tournament and ABSS would now undergo further trials at the AIS.
Corrupt judging at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games badly affected boxing’s image and the new system may be just the right thing.
Professor Allan Hahn, the head of the AIS Applied Research Centre, however admitted that ABSS is not a finished product yet.
He said
A boxer scores when the glove of one boxer simultaneously impacts with the scoring area of another. A boxer can’t hit his own gloves together and score but we still have a problem with blocked blows being registered.
Photo: BBC
