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GEAR
Iron Byron and EARL
Robots are used to test sports gear to make sure that the
equipment can handle the stress and heavy use that top
athletes demand. One of the most well-known robot athletes is Iron
Byron, once used by the PGA Tour to test golf clubs and golf balls.
Named for legendary golfer Byron Nelson, the one-armed robot could
hit thousands of golf shots exactly the same without ever tiring.
Bowling balls are tested by EARL (Enhanced Automated Robotic
Launcher; above). The machine was also named for bowling great
Earl Anthony. EARL can bowl left-handed or right-handed and can be
programmed to create as many as 900 revolutions per minute on the
ball. The United States Bowling Congress uses EARL to test new balls
to make sure they follow national rules and to create a level playing
field . . . or alley.