Rugby Ball Meets Web-Cam

comcn writes "What do you get when you cross a rugby ball with a web-cam? The BBC have an article about a polytechnic in New Zealand that is in the process of creating a camera that is small and light enough to fit inside a rugby ball. Boy, are you going to get a headache when watching rugby on TV now."

Comments

If you didnt know

[isorox]

Rugby is kind of like American Football, except tough. Theres no pamby helmets, no 5 foot thick shoulder pads, no 3 minutes breaks every 3 seconds. etc. etc. Just a pure blood bath.

Re:If you didnt know

[Knunov]

While I was working in Europe, I had this discussion about a thousand times with the various European nationalities, but especially the English and Scottish.

The mechanics of American Football necessitate protective gear. The size mismatches alone make it a requirement.

A common scenario in American football is a 180-pound receiver, standing completely still while catching a mid-field pass, being slammed into by a 250-pound linebacker running top speed. This generally does not happen in rugby.

Without pads, there would be regular incidents (as in every game) of broken bones, paralyzed players and even deaths.

In the spirit of fairness, I offered to demonstrate this fact to a particularly loudmouthed Scottsman, that happened to be a former rugby player. I weigh 230 solid pounds at 6' 1".

We were in a hotel bar, at the time. So we stepped into the first floor hallway, and he walked to the far end. Some people from the bar gathered to watch.

He stood at the end of the hall and braced for impact. I ran as fast as I could and dove into his stomach using my shoulder as the impact site.

When he regained conciousness 3 minutes later, he was more understanding of my point of view. After he vomited on himself, that is.

As if the skeletons and musculature of rugby players are somehow sturdier than a football player's...

Knunov

Blurry images.

[PopeAlien]

So far, the camera is only able to produce a faint blurry black-and-white image.

Gee. I cant wait until it can produce hi-rez full color faint blurry images.. What a scientific advance!

While you're at it...

[trilucid]

As long as we're gonna go around modding out rugby balls to give us "most excellent" visual shots, why not continue with this new tradition of improving on the game...

You could place internally stabilizing gyroscopes inside the thing to ensure the "always perfect" pass. Heck, if you're gonna do that, why not mod it out with anti-intercept electronic countermeasures too? Opposing player tryin' to snag the ball? No worries, mate... it's packing more punch than a hand-held taser.

Geez, this game could be really fun. :)

Web hosting by geeks, for geeks. Now starting at $4/month (USD)!
If you're gonna email, use the public key!

First Photos of modded rugby ball

[Anonymous Coward]

Look here for one of the first pictures of a rugby ball with video camera capabilities...

More links

[comcn]

Since posting the story, I've found a better link to the Otago Daily Times. The story there has a rather good picture of the ball with the camera in it.

Also, here's a link to the Otago Polytechnic.

instability of the universe?

[_ganja_]

I'd never thought I'd see the day when a geek site was arguing if football or rugby players are "harder".

Of course I hope you understand that in order to maintain ballance in the universe there are two prop forwards sitting in a bar drinking Jolt and arguing if the Cube will kick the ass of the Xbox.