Czech technology for curling will be used at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games

A research team from CTU UCEEB, in cooperation with InoSens CZ, has developed new electronic handles for curling stones. Following successful testing at international qualification tournaments in Lohja, Finland, and Kelowna, Canada, the World Curling Federation decided to deploy this technology at the curling competitions of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

The electronic curling handles were designed to improve the objectivity of officiating and enhance fair play. Their key feature is the automatic detection of so-called hog-line violations - situations in which a player continues to hold the stone after it has crossed the hog line, which is against the rules. Any violation is reliably detected by the system, visually indicated directly on the stone, and simultaneously transmitted to the officials’ station via wireless communication.

The new handles are equipped with a set of sensors and control electronics operating in real time. They are engineered to function reliably in the demanding conditions of ice arenas, including low temperatures, high humidity, and extreme mechanical stress. In addition to measurement accuracy, the development focused on robustness, low energy consumption, and seamless integration into standard curling stones without affecting the game itself.

The project demonstrates a successful transfer of academic research into real-world application and shows that Czech technological know-how has a strong position on the global stage. The collaboration between CTU UCEEB and InoSens CZ also confirms that close cooperation between research institutions and industry is a key factor in creating competitive innovations with international impact.