Acceleration-Based Method of Ice Quality Assessment in the Sport of Curling

Despite the significant influence of ice conditions on results in the sport of curling, players and ice technicians lack a measurement device that would objectively measure ice quality during a curling competition. This paper presents such a new measurement method by using a device consisting an inertial measurement unit (IMU) attached to the handle of the curling stone and data processing software. IMU is used to measure the vibration of curling stone during its movement on the surface of the ice. The acceleration signal is recorded, and then the software calculates the value of so-called R parameter in frequency domain. The value of R allows one to determine if an ice sheet had been pebbled and if the shape of pebbles is suitable for the game of curling. The presented system was tested in various ice conditions—on both freshly prepared and used ice. Ice technicians and players may use the proposed system to decide whether the ice surface is suitable for play or if it should be remade.