Science Daily-- A team of researchers at the Ocean University of China has developed
and tested a mobile lidar (light detection and ranging) station that
can accurately measure wind speed and direction over large areas in
real time -- an application useful for aviation safety, weather
forecasting and sports. The mobile lidar station can measure wind fields more accurately,
which could help world-class athletes compete in international
competitions, such as the Olympics. Ocean University is in Qingdao,
which is hosting the sailing competitions of the XXIX Olympic Games and
the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, and this technique is being tested
in conjunction with the event. "Wind is non-uniform even in a small sailing field," says Professor
Zhi-Shen Liu of the Key Laboratory of Ocean Remote Sensing, Ministry of
Education of China, Ocean University of China, who led the research.
"Athletes could maximize their performances if they have the most
accurate information to help them capture the wind."
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