AirShuttle is the new shuttlecock optimized for the outdoor badminton game,
AirBadminton.
The development of the AirShuttle has been a five-year project. It all started with a vision to develop a new outdoor shuttlecock
with increased resistance to wind, to allow people to have a more
positive experience of badminton outdoors.
The main considerations were that it must be played with the same
rackets and have good flight performance, spin response and durability.
The basic criteria of AirShuttle were:
- The shuttlecocks must have similar trajectory, acoustics and play feel to that of a traditional indoor shuttle.
- Similar flight properties with limited influence from humidity variations.
- Minimal impact from side and axial wind.
- Needed to be able to be played in winds up to 12 km/h.
- The shuttlecocks be durable and cost-effective.
During the period 2015-18, over 30 prototypes were developed and subject to rigorous testing.
A preferred design was confirmed in early 2018 and prototypes were
then tested in independent studies by the University of Alicante and the
Universiti of Malaya as part of the pilot program, using groups of
players from beginner level through to Olympic-level athletes.
Results from this testing were analyzed and patents posted for the key design elements.
In March 2020, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) introduced the shuttlecock, AirShuttle, to the global market.