Technology is playing a key role in improving multiple aspects of sports. Here is a quick view on some of the impact areas
1. Improving Viewing & On-Screen Experience- Live technology
Hawk Eye
Used in Cricket, Tennis, Football -
Ball tracking technologies using multiple cameras
Snickometer
Used in Cricket
Uses Oscilloscope to track & calculate the frequency, distortions and wavelength of sound waves
Hot Spot
Used in Cricket
Uses infrared imaging system
VAR (Video Assistant Referee)
VAR is being used in Football and has helped in reducing the referee errors related to Goals, Penalties, Red Card decisions and Mistaken identity
Goal Line Technology
Used in Football
It uses a set of high speed cameras focused on the goal to determine the exact location of the football using coordinates
2. Performance Improvement & Analytics
SOFTWARE
Elo Score
The Elo rating system is a method for calculating the relative skill levels of players in zero sum games such as chess. Many sports now use this framework
Sabermetrics
uses statistical analysis to analyze baseball records and make determinations about player performance. (ref: Moneyball Movie)
HARDWARE
Spektacom
Started by Anil Kumble in partnership with Microsoft. Creates IOT enabled bats which records the key parameters of a player’s performance for live and post match
Adidas miCoach Smart Football
Adidas, has developed IoT powered smart football for German national football team. The IoT sensor has the ability to detect speed, spin, strike and flight path. The app users can see the diagnostics via the smart app.
Wilson’s X Connected
Wilson Sporting Goods developed a smart basketball which has functionality similar to Adidas’ smart soccer ball.
3. Training Support & Tracking- AI Coach, Content, Journals
Strava
Social network for runners & cyclists. Connects to all wearables
Runkeeper
Run Tracking & Personal record keeping. Connects to all wearables.
Nike Training Club
Digital workouts for Athletes. Also allows logging in nutrition etc.
CureFit
All in one Health & Fitness platform. Digital
Workouts, Nutritionists & Mental wellness.
4. Talent Scouting- Help identify talent from grassroots
Cricheroes
Score keeping & tracking of local matches. Community based approach at grassroot level.
5. Fantasy Sport leagues & e-Sports
Dream 11
Fantasy leagues to simulate actual game
PUBG
Multi-player Internet based gaming
Online Poker
Poker has been made legal in India. Online Poker becoming very popular.
6. Fan insights and Engagement
Fan Insights
Will help drive better business decisions around sponsorship, fan engagement and media rights. By leveraging the unique insights gathered of fans around the globe, sports properties, including sports leagues and teams, will be able to better understand how to grow and engage with their fan bases, expand into new markets, evaluate media rights, and secure partnerships with sponsors.
Fan Engagement
In-stadia - Wi-fi access, App access, smart stadiums
Home - Live-game interaction, Virtual & Augmented reality, tunnel cams, player interactions
7. Wearable devices for Athletes
Wearable Devices (Monitors, Clothing, Sensors)
Devices help teams, coaches, associations collect massive amounts of data such as an athlete’s heart rate, glucose level, breathing, gait, strain, or fatigue.
Which in turn can be used to monitor and improve performance
Catapult
Founded in Australia, is one of the biggest suppliers of Athletics tracking tech in sports. Catapult's GPS performance tracking system monitors every aspect of players providing accurate information and insights
Smartlife
Textile smart sensors that integrate in cutting edge smart garments. Sensors capture signals real-time from body and transmit information to smart devices for analysis
Challenges of Technology in Sports
For Athletes
Availability and cost - makes sport and success exclusive to select few athletes and countries
More pressure on athletes to stay up to date with latest technology and its usage
Personal data being made available
For Officials
Slows the game pace
A big challenge to have it at all level of competitions
For Spectators & Broadcasters
Increases spectator/broadcaster costs - spectators or viewers have to spend more
Reduces atmosphere at live events
For Sport in General
Questions accuracy of technology
Increase in cost to all the stakeholders in sport
About Simply Sport
Simply Sport is a sports policy research & development organization based out of India. Simply Sport’s vision is to promote sports as an effective tool for the development of the nation. It focuses on policy research, grassroot development and use of technology in sports. To subscribe to Simply Sport Newsletters, Research & Articles, please write to subscribe@simplysport.in. You can follow Simply Sport on the Twitter handle @_SimplySport for more sports related content.