Cricket machine masters bowling

[GAspnes]

A machine that can replicate the spin and swing of bowlers has been developed at a UK university.
The robotic bowler has been created at Loughborough University as part of a virtual reality project to improve match training for cricket.

"Cricketers want to be able to face bowlers like Shane Warne," said project lead Dr Andy West.

"The machine is helping us to figure out the science of bowling and the mysteries of spin and swing," he added.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5412632.stm

[tridim]

1. Aren't there a few more important things to study

than "figuring out the science of bowling"? This seems just a bit pointless.

[unblock]

2. not pointless at all.

it's true that this is closer to "pure research" than to useful, practical application -- beyond possible entertainment value, at least.

however, virtually all research is based on what comes before. the research into more directly relevant and useful matters builds heavily on learning derived from research on often far less directly relevant things.

eventually, this will no doubt improve robotic assembly workers or military defense or home security or who knows what. that's the nature of research.

not every researcher can, nor should, be trying to directly tackle immediately useful topics.