Human vs AI: Team USA Gives Artificial Intelligence A Try To Do Surfing

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What started as a mere hackathon competition when Microsoft engineers teamed with surfers is revolutionizing surfing and sports in general. [{ "selector": ".ieuoi-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".dkros-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(-116px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".qnifu-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 321px))", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }]

To teach the machine the mechanics of surfing to AI, researchers used a single camera on the ground to film surfers riding waves and then fed AI the raw data that needed to be analyzed.

The AI was taught the mechanics of surfing

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To get insightful data on how and where to improve, USA Surfing and Microsoft broke the mechanics of surfing down into three parts: The surfer's body position(movement), The surfboard (equipment), The wave (environment)

Using AI to maximize results

The ultimate goal is to get valuable data on how to correct the body position, how surfers should maneuver their boards, and how the waves break relative to the rider's body position.

Creating the perfect ride

The information AI provides helps scientists, coaches, and surfers understand how all these elements work together to create a successful surf ride, i.e., a 10-point ride.

Surfing is a subjective sport, AI changes that

With hard data and numbers, surfing would become a more objective sport. Ultimately, this new AI-based surf tool will help surfers perform more challenging moves while staying safe and healthy.

“Sleeping in a Bus Station”: Afro-Brazilian Surfer Narrates Her Unthinkable Struggles as an Outsider in the Sport

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