America's Cup technology showcased extraordinary talent from sailors, highlighting their near-superhuman abilities
In the thrilling world of the America's Cup, innovation has always played a crucial role. This year, at the 37th America's Cup held in Barcelona, Emirates Team New Zealand introduced a groundbreaking wind visualization technology that has since become a game-changer in the sport. The technology, known as WindSight IQ, uses advanced LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to make the invisible patterns of wind visible during the races.
WindSight IQ operates by emitting rapid laser pulses into the air in various directions. These pulses scatter off tiny particles like dust, aerosols, or water droplets that are naturally present in the atmosphere. By analyzing the Doppler shift—the change in frequency of the laser light reflected back from these particles—the system can determine how fast the wind is moving and in which direction, at many points in a three-dimensional volume around the race course.
With this spatial data, WindSight IQ constructs a real-time, 3D map of wind speed and direction at different altitudes and locations. This detailed wind map enables sailors and teams to see complex wind patterns, gusts, wind shifts, and turbulence that are otherwise invisible. With this real-time insight, they can adjust their strategies to optimize sailing performance.
Remarkably, sailors can pick out wind speed and direction with their naked eyes, even when traveling at 40 knots. The LiDARs used in the America's Cup wind visualization technology emit 10,000 beams per second, providing an unprecedented level of detail. The color map of the breeze replicated what you might see with your naked eye from above, showing darker and lighter patches on the water.
The technology, however, is not without its challenges. It can struggle to get good measurements during rain showers due to the flushing out of particles in the air. Additionally, the system uses a combination of measurement and prediction, which can sometimes lead to inaccuracies. Despite these limitations, the technology often serves as a testament to the crews' exceptional skills, highlighting their abilities rather than potentially highlighting mistakes.
For spectators, a live, visual map of the breeze was provided, using CapGemini's WindSight IQ technology. The racecourse is divided into just under a quarter of a million cells, each of which either does a forecast or has received a LiDAR measurement. Despite the crews being huddled below the sheerline inside individual cockpits during the race, the only visible signs of humans aboard were the tops of helmets.
In summary, WindSight IQ's LiDAR makes the wind "visible" by turning laser reflections into detailed, live visualizations of the wind’s shape and movement, giving America's Cup competitors a high-tech edge on the water. This technological advancement has not only revolutionized the sport but also set a new standard for what can be achieved with cutting-edge innovation.
