Wireless impact sensor

Researchers from Palo Alto Research Center have upgraded the fencing scoring system to detect the force of an impact (as opposed to just whether a hit had been made) through the cunning use of piezoelectric sensors (which transfer motion into electricity). The data is transferred to a laptop and handheld sensors. The researchers see a future in contact sports and video games. Currently the testing is being done in tae kwon do competitions, where the judges can now electronically determine which fighter's kick would have broken more ribs and thus, who won.