Become a pool pro with augmented reality

The history of pool goes back to the 14th century. Still, the game poses some geometric challenges. Technology like AR could help beginners.

The balls are spread around the table, the black one is dangerously close to the last full that has to be pocketed. And a half blocks the direct path. A professional now knows exactly how to play over the rail in order not to touch the black eight ball and also to leave the half ball where it should stay. An amateur, on the other hand, is usually happy if he doesn't accidentally send the white out of bounds. Modern technology could help here.

Billiards is centuries old and, despite being recognised as an Olympic sport, still enjoys the reputation of being a pub game. Yet records of the game's origins date back to the 14th century. Today there are 35 variations, which differ in the number of balls and the size of the table. The best known are snooker, carom and pool.

The blending of worlds

In 2013, students Ricardo Alves and J. M. F Rodrigues worked together on an augmented reality project. With Pool Live Aid, they developed a system at the University of the Algarve in Portugal to help even inexperienced players excel at billiards.

Using a camera, the system reads the edges of the table, the position of the cue ball and the angle of the pool cue to do the kind of calculations a professional does in his head. It then uses a projector to display the likely path on the table.

And this is how it works: A camera is mounted on the ceiling above the table. This keeps an eye on the table. The images created are transmitted to the computer. The computer is able to distinguish between the individual elements such as balls, table and cue.

The system is capable of calculating bank play and recognising bounces. If a ball is in the way, it is also calculated where it will land. In real time, the player is shown how the angle of play changes if he holds the cue differently. The expected result of a shot is visible as a projection on the table.

Subtleties and other weaknesses

Unfortunately, billiards does not only consist of hitting the ball at the right angle. For the developed system, the ball must be hit as centrally as possible. The programme cannot calculate or display effet shots.

For beginners, it would definitely be a good way to approach this sport. Of course, it cannot replace a coach. The system is not for sale yet.

Source: diepresse