Environmental scientists from the University of Birmingham have helped to create a hi-tech ‘heart’ for the Queen’s Baton as it carries a royal message through India and around the world ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The Queen’s Baton Relay begins on 7 October 2021 at Buckingham Palace, where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will place her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton, before its 294-day journey through the 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth, arriving back in England in July 2022. It arrives in India on 12 January 2022.
Forged in the West Midlands, the Baton contains atmospheric sensors with laser technology that analyses the environmental conditions wherever it is in the world.
Augmented Reality (AR) will be used to creatively visualise the data captured throughout the journey to invite more awareness of and conversations around air quality across the Commonwealth.
Data collected on the Baton’s journey will contribute to ongoing research projects being conducted across the globe by atmospheric scientist Professor Francis Pope and his team.
Professor Pope commented: “Atmospheric data captured during the Baton’s global journey will be highly valuable in starting important conversations around air quality across the Commonwealth.
“We’re proud to provide scientific advice on creating the Baton’s ‘lungs’ and the data collected will be particularly relevant to our ongoing research partnerships in East Africa and India, where we’re investigating the impact of air quality on citizens.”
Enhanced with cutting-edge technology, the Baton also features LED lighting that displays dynamic performances in response to each Batonbearer’s heartbeat when held. Fitted with a 360-degree camera, the Baton records and transmits imagery and digital information, allowing stories from Commonwealth communities to be told, as well as GPS technology allowing for its location to be tracked.
The Baton was conceived in an innovative West Midlands collaboration that fuses art, technology, and science. Product designers and engineers Raymont-Osman Product Design, design and development specialists Kajul, both based in rural Warwickshire, along with Coventry-based MAOKWO, headed up by artist Laura Nyahuhe, each injected their creativity and expertise into the Baton. The advanced technology inside the Baton is the work of practitioners at Birmingham Open Media (BOM), a centre for art, technology and science.
The University of Birmingham is the official partner of the international leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay and is planning a series of events to mark the Baton’s progress through countries where it has particularly strong research and education partnerships. These countries include Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, Nigeria and Singapore. These events will be underpinned by Commonwealth-wide celebrations for staff, students and alumni.
Queen’s Baton Relay
- The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Games tradition that celebrates, connects and excites communities from across Commonwealth during the build up to the Games.
- Birmingham 2022 is staging the 16thofficial Queen’s Baton Relay – an epic journey across the Commonwealth, with The Queen’s Baton visiting all 72 nations and territories, reaching Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean and the Americas.
- The Relay will begin on 7 October 2021 at a special event at Buckingham Palace, where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will place Her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton.
- The Baton will travel for 294 days, visiting all 72 nations and territories and connecting communities in every corner of the Commonwealth, embracing unique cultures and sharing stories.
- This collective journey will ignite hope, solidarity and collaboration for the next generation, with these stories leaving us all inspired to take on the challenges that matter most to us.
- For more information, visit birmingham2022.com/qbr
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
- The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be held from 28 July until 8 August 2022, will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to put the city, the region, and its people on the global stage.
- The Games is already proving to be a catalyst for transformation across the West Midlands, attracting new investment and funding, creating jobs and apprenticeships for local people and new opportunities for local businesses, as well as accelerating projects that will ensure the region is ready to host a fantastic sports and cultural celebration.
- Birmingham 2022 will be the Games for everyone, bringing people together from across Birmingham and the region, to provide a warm welcome to millions of visitors during the summer of 2022.
- Find out more at www.birmingham2022.com
