Data Acquisition Systems

The Orono Biomechanical Surface Tester (OBST) was a device co-created by Dr. Mick Peterson from the University of Kentucky, Dr. Sarah Hobbs University of Central Lancashire, and Dr. Lars Roepstorff from Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences to replicate the loading of a thoroughbred race horse's front forelimb striking the surface at gallop. Based on research, a thoroughbred race horse at gallop is estimated to produce loads up to 2.5 times the body weight of the horse at approximately 11.1 kN or 2500 lbf. Measurements include use of a triaxial load cell to measure peak impact loads, a single axis load cell in line with a spring-damper system to represent fetlock loading, a triaxial accelerometer to measure peak decelerations, a linear string potentiometer to measure position and velocity, and a LVIT to measure displacement from the compression of the spring-damper system. While the device has remained largely unchanged over the past decade, the DAQ and electronics where overhauled and documented as more machines were created in response to the The Jockey Club's donation to Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory (RSTL) and the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). In addition to the DAQ refinements, a new GUI was developed to provide more specific meta data with each measurement collected.

An electronic system overhaul performed in collaboration with Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory (RSTL), R.M. Beaumont Corporation, and Alexanders Mechanical Solutions. This project primarily involved rewiring and upgrading the existing DAQ enclosure and sensor replacement on a horseracing whip testing system used to measure the impact force from various whips. This work helped lead to the research publication with Dr. John Bridge from the University of Washington Bothell, "A system for simulating the kinematics and measuring the impact force from riding whips used in thoroughbred horseracing".

Designed and created in collaboration with Dr. Mick Peterson from the University of Kentucky, R.M. Beaumont Corporation, and Alexanders Mechanical Solutions. Originally designed as a precursor to a larger project funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) for Dr. Kate Horan and Dr. Thilo Pfau at the Royal Veterinarian College. This device was used to measure the torque and rotation angle about a fixed axis on turf surfaces. A python-based GUI and DAQ was provided to measure the sensor outputs for the research project.