Best Dutch dart players test TU Delft arrow

The five best dart players in the Netherlands were present at the TU Delft campus on Tuesday 18 April. Here they tried out a new dart arrow developed by TU Delft spin off Rocket Darts. The new dart throws almost 50 percent more accurately than a conventional dart. This is evident from earlier tests with a dart-arrow robot.

^{Dutch darters Michael van Gerwen and Vincent van der Voort try out the new dart arrow. (Photo: TU Delft / AHK)}

If you look at the arrow, you will see some striking changes compared to a conventional dart. For instance, the rear wings are bent backwards more and an extra narrow piece has been added at the front of the wing. As a result, the shaft (the piece between wings and tip) is shorter. Both modifications make the dart fly more stably.

An extra bump at the tip of the wings makes it easier for a dart that lands in the board to slide past other darts in the board. This reduces the chance of them bouncing off each other from the board. Raymond van Barneveld, one of the attendees, was enthusiastic about this innovation. Yet the dart players will not be throwing TU Delft darts at the next world championships. This is because they are obliged to use darts from their own manufacturer.

^{The new dart arrow has a different wing shape. (Photo: video still TU Delft)}

Besides testing the new arrow, the dart players also gained insight into their personal way of throwing. The arm movement and flight path of the arrow after release were measured and analysed. The findings from this could lead to customised trainings. (RvdW)