Revolutionizing Baseball with AI-Pitching Simulations

Two University of Waterloo graduates are reshaping Major League Baseball (MLB) with a data-powered pitching simulator that mimics the experience of facing a pro pitcher.

Joshua Pope (BASc) and Rowan Ferrabee (BASc) founded Trajekt Sports in their fourth year with support from Dr. John McPhee. The technology idea, however, originated during Pope’s time as president of the Athletic Council in high school.

“We were tossing around ideas for fun sports activities when someone jokingly said we should try batting against Marcus Stroman from the Blue Jays. This was back in 2013, and we were huge fans,” Pope recalled.

The Spark of Innovation

“I began to think about whether it was possible to let people experience batting against their favorite pitchers. What kind of training tools did pro athletes use? Could I create a machine that mimics the pitching abilities of real players?“

Pope’s curiosity inspired him to pursue biomedical engineering, equipping him with the skills and connections needed to bring his pitching simulator concept to life. Although the idea was too ambitious for his Capstone Design Project, support from Velocity, Waterloo’s startup incubator, helped launch Trajekt Sports. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, disrupting everything.

“It wasn’t the ideal moment to launch a business,” Pope admitted. “But Rowan and I were committed, and we were lucky to have supporters who believed in us. We started in my parents’ garage, tapped into Velocity resources, secured a grant from the Accelerator Centre, and raised funds through a ‘friends and family’ round.

Enhancing Pitching Machines with Precision and Realism

Conventional pitching machines can only replicate basic speed and spin. Pope and Ferrabee refined their system to control variables like velocity, spin axis, and ball orientation, enabling accurate pitch replication. They also aimed to include optical stimulus—what a batter actually sees when facing a real pitcher.

“Our method is based on physics and fundamental principles,” Pope explained.

“We started by asking fundamental questions like, ‘What makes a ball fly?’ If we can control all the factors that affect its flight, we can recreate any pitch with accuracy. For us, it was a physics challenge that required a new perspective, so we built the solution from scratch. Some might argue we over-engineered it, but that extra level of precision is what makes it so valuable for professional use.”

Their innovative robot, the Trajekt Arc, is the only system that employs artificial intelligence (AI) to combine highly realistic visuals of pitchers, including precise arm angles, release mechanics, and motion blur, to replicate the authentic experience of being at home plate. This lifelike training helps hitters prepare both physically and mentally for the game.

Trajekt Sports Secures First MLB Client

In December 2021, Pope and Ferrabee landed their first MLB client—the Chicago Cubs. With the Cubs onboard, other teams quickly followed, and by the end of the next year, seven more MLB teams had signed on.

Today, 30 baseball teams use Trajekt Arc machines, including 24 MLB teams, four from Japan’s NPB, one from the KBO, and one from the CPBL. With 21 full-time employees and a strong talent pipeline from Waterloo, the company is always seeking ways to improve the training experience.

The company is exploring ideas beyond professional baseball, such as college training programs and recreational sports centers, as well as incorporating advanced analytics, video tracking, and personalized training plans for batters.

“At its heart, the Trajekt Arc is designed to level the playing field, providing athletes—from beginners to experienced pros—a way to enhance their skills,” Pope said. “I’m passionate about sports, and I’m proud that we’re transforming the way people play and train—for the better.”

Read the original article on: Techxplore

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