Explore our full product range, project applications, and service areas in detail through our E-Catalogue. Our engineering-led solutions and internationally certified services are presented in this comprehensive reference document.
In professional swimming competitions, accurately measuring the exact moment an athlete finishes is of great importance. For this reason, the touchpad system used in modern race organizations is one of the most critical components of timing technologies. Touchpad panels are special sensor panels placed on the finish wall of the swimming pool, and they automatically detect the time the moment an athlete touches the wall.
The Olympic pool timing systems used today operate together with touchpad panels, lane box control units, the start system, and central race management software. Thanks to these technologies, race results are measured with millisecond precision and the results are recorded automatically.
Swimming pools use these technologies, and they especially work integrated with scoreboard systems to ensure race results are shown to spectators and athletes instantly.
Swimming touchpads contain internal tape switch matrices or piezo-electric pressure sensors triggered by physical contact forces between 1.5 kg and 2.5 kg (15-25 N). Under World Aquatics rules, touchpads measure 2.40m × 0.90m × 0.01m, record times with 0.001-second precision, and eliminate water wave false triggers.
The touchpad timing system used in professional swimming competitions consists of special sensor panels that detect the moment an athlete finishes. These panels are placed on the finish wall of the pool, and when the athlete touches the wall, they send a signal to the timing system. Thus, race times are measured with millisecond precision and the results are recorded automatically.
The touchpad technology used in modern competition pools generally works integrated with lane box units, start systems, and scoreboard screens. Thanks to this integration, race results are processed instantly by the central control system and shown to spectators on electronic scoreboard screens. These systems significantly improve both the accuracy of swimming competitions and the management of the organization.
Touchpad panels consist of pressure-sensitive electronic sensors placed on the finish wall of the swimming pool. When the athlete touches the wall at the moment of finish, the sensors on the panel send an electrical signal to the timing system.
This process takes place completely automatically, eliminating the need for a manual stopwatch.
Touchpad technology is one of the indispensable components of modern swimming competitions. The advantages provided by this system increase the reliability of race results.
In modern race organizations, touchpad panels generally work integrated with swimming pool scoreboard systems. Once athletes' times are detected by the touchpad, race results can be shown on scoreboard screens instantly.
This way, spectators can see the race results instantly, and the race organization becomes more professional.
Touchpad systems used in international swimming competitions are manufactured according to specific technical standards. These systems are a fundamental part of the automatic timing infrastructure used in Olympic race organizations.
You can find detailed information on race standards and technical requirements in the technical documents published by the World Aquatics federation.
Under World Aquatics rules, competition touchpad panels are manufactured at 2.40 m in width, 0.90 m in height, and approximately 1 cm in thickness. These dimensions are standardized to fit exactly within each lane's width.
The internal tape switch matrix or piezo-electric pressure sensors inside the panel are triggered by a physical contact force between 1.5 and 2.5 kg (15-25 N). This threshold is calibrated to distinguish a genuine touch from water movement.
The panel is fixed to the finish wall of the pool so that roughly 0.60 m sits below the water surface and 0.30 m above it. This positioning ensures swimmers of different heights and stroke lengths can reach the panel under any race condition.
The sensors' trigger force threshold (15-25 N) is kept above the pressure generated by water waves during a race. As a result, only the swimmer's actual contact produces a timing signal, and wave surge does not create false readings.
Yes. Each lane's lane box unit automatically switches to the backup push-button held by the lane judge if the touchpad signal is interrupted. This redundancy guarantees the race result is recorded under any circumstance.
Panels must be manufactured in compliance with World Aquatics' SW 13 (Automatic Officiating Equipment) rule and related technical norms (TS EN 13451), and must pass federation approval before being used in official races.
Panels should be calibrated before each competition season and at regular intervals, with waterproofing and cable connections checked. Deviations in sensor sensitivity directly affect timing accuracy.
Artemis Pool's professional engineering team offers FINA/World Aquatics approved touchpad sensors, timing systems, and LED screen integration.