The upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo will feature an innovative electronic handle system for curling stones, which has received favorable feedback from athletes. According to reports from the World Curling Federation, the electronic handle is designed to automatically detect violations of the hog line during throws, using color signals for clear communication. The system involves a touch sensor mounted on the stone handle that works in conjunction with a magnetic strip embedded in the ice, indicating readiness with a blue signal, a legal throw with green, and a violation with red.

Athletes have welcomed this technological advancement, highlighting its potential to enhance fairness in competitions. Italian athlete Stefania Constantini noted that the equipment ensures all competitors operate under the same conditions, while American player Corey Dropkin emphasized the need for precise rulings on hog line violations. Although electronic handles have been explored previously, reliability issues led to the discontinuation of the old system after the 2021 European Championships, and technical failures prevented their use at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

In collaboration with researchers from the Czech Technical University and the Czech tech company InoSens CZ, the World Curling Federation has developed a new electronic system aimed at minimizing disputes and assisting both players and referees. David Sheek, chair of the federation's technology committee, explained that the precision required in such fast-paced situations is beyond human judgment, therefore necessitating the integration of technology to enhance decision-making efficiency. As curling transitions from a traditionally honor-based sport, the introduction of this technology marks an important step in maintaining competitive integrity as the sport evolves.