Technology has significantly transformed human life in several ways. Examples of the areas transformed by technology include beauty, transport, education, and entertainment. Another sector that technological innovations have significantly transformed is the sports industry. This article looks at how technology has infiltrated the sports industry. It explores some of the tech-driven sports and how technology has improved them.
Football
Football is undoubtedly the most followed sport globally. It is also one of the most technologically-driven sports in the world today. Here are some of the major tech innovations used in football:
Video Assistant Referees (VAR)
The VAR was invented in 2010 under the Royal Netherlands Football Association. It was adopted to help make more accurate refereeing decisions using video technologies. The idea behind VAR is to capture errors that were not captured earlier in the game.
A VAR team supports the referees from a centralized video operations room. The VAR is only used when a decision may have changed the result of a match. The VAR has elicited mixed reactions from football fans, including those who bet on top betting sites like Betway. Sometimes, the VAR reverses decisions that would have worked in their favor!
Goal-line technology
One of the most important decisions a referee makes during a football match is whether the ball has crossed the line for a goal. The technology uses 14 cameras to capture up to 500 frames per second before sending an image to the image processing system. The ball’s 3D coordinates are monitored, and when the whole ball crosses the goal line, the camera will capture it.
Hawk-Eye system
Hawk-Eye Innovations, a UK-based company, introduced this technology in 2001. The technology works with three cameras that focus on each goal line. Each camera takes footage at 600 frames a second. It helps give a definitive decision on whether the ball has crossed the line. If the ball has crossed the line, it relays this information in the form of an audible beep to the central referee within half a second.
Formula 1
Formula 1 is continually evolving and remains one of the most innovative sports globally. It would not be preposterous to claim that F1 would not be where it is today without innovative technologies. Here are some unique technologies that have transformed the F1 sport:
Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS)
The KER is a popular and innovative piece of technology that recovers kinetic energy from the excess heat generated during the braking process. Whenever you apply brakes in your car, the plates usually generate heat.
Mainstream vehicles use KERS to enable vehicles to recover excess braking energy. The technology makes the cars more fuel-efficient and improves overall performance.
Carbon Fiber
A vehicle having a carbon-fiber chassis is lighter, stronger, and offers superior aerodynamic properties. McLaren was the first to test the technology in the 1980s on the circuit. Carbon fiber is light yet strong, protects the drivers, and offers better performance. Nowadays, carbon fiber is used in all F1 vehicles and mainstream vehicles.
Diamond Cylinder Coatings
Nowadays, all F1 vehicles apply a thin diamond-like layer on cylinders that significantly reduces friction resulting in better performance and enhanced durability. While it is not exactly a diamond coating, it is made from an incredibly tough carbon-based material. Supercars like Ferrari 458 use such coatings.
American Football
American Football is another sport that has greatly integrated technology successfully. The NFL has adopted several technologies over the years, improving the sport in different aspects. Here are the notable technologies used in American Football:
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags
The NFL has allowed teams to place transmitter tags on players’ shoulder pads since 2014. On the other hand, the stadiums are installed with receivers that will use the transmitter tags to collect data on each player’s speed, distance, and position, in real-time, during the game.
Moreover, the RFID tags are placed inside the game balls to measure location and performance data. The technology will help with team training, evaluation, and scouting.
Sideline Viewing Systems and Surface Tablets
In the past, coaches relied on faxed images of offensive and defensive formations on the series’ sidelines. But, in 2015, the NFL started tracking player movement using the Microsoft Surface Pro 3. The tablet enabled the coaches to collect valuable data about players.
This is useful data because it enables the technical bench to get valuable information that helps them make tactical decisions during the game. The tablet’s configuration prevents anyone from altering the data. It has boosted the coaches’ and players’ confidence in games.
Final Thoughts
Technology has had a significant effect on the sports industry. Different sports entities have adopted innovative technologies to improve athlete and team performance. Additionally, the technologies have enabled sports fans to enjoy a more immersive experience. For instance, social media has brought superstar athletes closer to the fans making the whole experience more fascinating. However, industry commentators claim that more technologies will be integrated into sports and the current ones will be improved!
