Microsoft, Cricket Star Anil Kumble Unveil Power Bat for New Analytics

Spektacom’s sensor sticker uses Microsoft’s cloud and AI technologies to convert any bat to a data-collecting Power Bat. (Courtesy of Microsoft)

Microsoft and former Indian cricket captain Anil Kumble have developed a tech-enabled cricket bat that can provide more batting data to players and fans. Kumble, who retired from international cricket in 2008, is now the founder of sports startup Spektacom Technologies.

The Power Bat uses a small IoT-enabled sticker on its rear to collect data points such as velocity and twist on impact, power, and rotation. The sticker uses Azure Sphere, an internet-of-things operating system, to collect and analyze the data through cloud-based artificial…