In one of the biggest technological advancements, the sports industry in Meerut is all set to start manufacturing smart cricket bats with artificial intelligence (AI).
While AI-powered bats are not a new term in India, this is the first time that Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut, where the sports industry has a net sale of Rs 15,000 crore annually, will come up with a smart cricket bat. The makers claim that their AI-powered bat will be the “cheapest in the market”. He added that the bat will be a game changer for Indian cricket as it will not only help players to improve their skills but also help the coach/players to analyze it. Play.
“It may sound simple, but actually it is not. We are working on an AI-powered cricket bat. After spending around three-four years on research and development, we are ready with the prototype. We are ready with the hardware are working, but we are still working on the application. I think it will take a few more months for our team to get the bat ready for field tests,” said Aman Deep Singh, owner of Heega Sports in Meerut. Which manufactures cricket bats and balls.
Data is captured as soon as the batsman hits the ball
It began in October 2018 after former India captain Anil Kumble’s technology start-up, Spectacom Technologies, launched the “Power Bat” – a mobile app powered by Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform and its AI and Internet of Things (IoT) services. Unique device. The launch not only created ripples across the sports industry, but also deeply inspired Singh.
“Then I decided to launch my AI-powered bat. For a simple bat maker, it was nothing less than a dream,” Singh recalled.
Singh, who considers himself a new entrant in the industry, said he waited for a good time to start work. People who know Singh said that in 2020, when the country was busy finding ways to fight the lockdown blues, Singh and his team were giving shape to their dream project. Eventually, he was ready with the prototype.
Refusing to share pictures of the prototype, Singh said it can be disclosed only after the patent is filed.
However, he gave information about a smart bat of its kind. “This is going to be a revolutionary. Similar to smart watches or any other AI-enabled gadget, the AI cricket bat can also provide real-time data, which is basically related to the player’s performance. It can also provide data such as impact, shot quality, force usage, fitness-based statistics and others. The application is designed in such a way that the data is captured immediately after the batsman hits the ball.
He added that the same data can be analyzed by the coach during net practice to enhance the skills of the batsmen.
Wood from Kashmir, Handle from Malaysia, Battery from Taiwan
The bat is made from Kashmir willow – the most suitable wood for making bats – and its handle is made from a special cane from Malaysia. He said that they have recently imported a special flexible battery from Taiwan, which provides power to the chips and sensors inserted inside the bat, without increasing the weight.
Singh said that the entire project cost him around Rs 25 lakh. “Our USP will be that our AI bat will be the cheapest in the market. Currently, the regular bat costs Rs 2,500 and Rs 60,000. We are working in such a way that AI powered bats can also be sold at the same price.
He said that there is a lot of talent in the youth of UP and other states. “I am sure the Smart Bat will serve as a tool for budding cricketers to hone their skills and take cricket to the next level, thereby bringing laurels to the country. Our aim behind this is not to earn profits, but to serve the country in our own way.
‘proud moment’
Around 2,500 units in Meerut are engaged in manufacturing sporting goods, mostly cricket bats and balls. According to rough estimates by the Indian Industries Association (IIA), in 2021-2022, the total export of sporting goods from the sector was pegged at Rs 780 crore.
Meerut’s sports industry is a source of employment for at least 6,000 people and generates indirect employment for three lakh people.
IIA officials also appreciated the initiative and said that this move will be a proud moment for the sports industry of Meerut.
“If such things are happening then it is a proud moment for Meerut sports industry. In today’s technologically advanced era, such progress is a part of life,” said Anurag Agarwal, Divisional President, Meerut, IIA.