{"id":995,"date":"2019-12-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-11T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leadersinsport.com\/performance-institute\/reports\/stay-on-target-how-motion-capture-will-change-the-way-we-interact-with-sport\/"},"modified":"2025-12-15T05:12:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T05:12:25","slug":"stay-on-target-motion-capture-interact-sport","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/leadersinsport.com\/performance-institute\/articles\/stay-on-target-motion-capture-interact-sport\/","title":{"rendered":"Stay On Target: How Motion Capture Will Change the Way We Interact With Sport"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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\n Dec 11, 2019 <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>Articles<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Stay On Target: How Motion Capture Will Change the Way We Interact With Sport<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n \n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Category<\/div>\n Data & Innovation<\/a>, Human Performance<\/a> <\/div>\n
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https:\/\/leadersinsport.com\/performance-institute\/articles\/stay-on-target-motion-capture-interact-sport\/<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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In the final instalment of a three-part series on technology in sport, Target3D Co-Founder Ashley Keeler discusses the changing face of how we interact with the sports we watch and we asks whether broadcasting needs to evolve to stay relevant.<\/p>\n \n \n \n

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A three-part series focusing on how technology is used in our training, development, understanding and consumption of sports. Brought to you by Target3D, the Home of Motion Capture.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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By Ashley Keeler<\/h6>\n

We touched on the online public outrage from annoyed football fans over the use of the video assistant referee (VAR) in our last article<\/a>. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

When stories like that hit the headlines, you\u2019d be forgiven for thinking that the intrusion of technology into sport can only be a bad thing.\u00a0 In fact, technology is having a huge impact on sports broadcasting and how spectators consume their favourite sports. <\/span><\/p>\n

In the future we may well rely on <\/span>AI generated highlight reels<\/span><\/a> or VR broadcasting but right now we can already see the downward trend of video on demand (VOD) while the rise of <\/span>paid for online video services<\/span><\/a> continues to soar.\u00a0 The reality [or mixed reality] is that the spread of technology throughout sports in general is creating new experiences for fans and game-changing ways for them to interact with sport.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the experiences are transformational, like allowing audiences to sit within the cockpit of a Formula 1 car through consumer-level virtual reality (VR) headsets \u2013 some are more practical, like the checking of odds via gambling apps, smooth viewing for audiences with poor internet connections, or assisting clubs in their pre\/post-match analysis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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No matter how revolutionary the technology, what\u2019s interesting to me is how the new developments are altering the \u2018fan experience\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

The way we consume sports is changing at lightning speed right now – more that I have witnessed in the last 20 years. Thanks to the roll out of 5G network capabilities, I imagine that in 20 years time the scene will be unrecognisable again.<\/span><\/p>\n

As an example, in the not-too-distant future, you may head off to the stadium to see your favourite football team; take your seat, settle down for kick off and – here\u2019s the difference – you’ll put on a pair of glasses that will stream stats, replays, audio commentary.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How will this be possible?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

5G\u2019s super-fast data delivery could be the catalyst for a potential explosion in an AR simulcast, delivering 3D video in real time without lagging. Live sporting events could be simultaneously broadcast across traditional mediums such as TV and radio, alongside augmented reality experience – giving spectators another option that potentially bridging the gap between the travel, time and expense of a live game and the passive action of watching or listening at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Or, what about watching a live match in your home stadium even when your team is away?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Peter Linder, head of 5G marketing for Ericsson, imagines a live experience that’s “better than live” thanks to AR and VR. “What if you could invite fans to look at any angle they want? You could overlay audio in different languages or graphics, providing more data and stats. Imagine the possibilities of this multi-language 5G broadcast for international competitions like the World Cup or events where several events run simultaneously like the Olympics.”<\/span><\/p>\n

It makes sense that sporting events would be the test cases for 5G: in a stadium, you’ve got thousands of people in one location. With the right tech infrastructure, you can create an extremely powerful network that delivers an experience they can all enjoy – and troubleshoot – together.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We can see a time when 5G is everywhere,” says Nexus Studios co-founder Chris O’Reilly. “AR cloud ubiquity is on its way. The place it will be first is high-value venues – stadiums, theme parks, museums – because we can go in and map them first. This is a journey, but this is the first step.”<\/span><\/p>\n

OK, so that\u2019s the future – but how is technology <\/span>already<\/span><\/i> changing the way we consume sports and what impact is that having on its viewership?<\/span><\/p>\n

On screen information has come along way since the days of 8-bit graphics.\u00a0 You\u2019ll have noticed it in F1 where onboard cameras are regularly broadcast alongside roaming cameras following a drivers\u2019 every move while the use of on-screen graphics has grown, reaching 24-hour news channel proportions!\u00a0 Viewers have come to expect to engage with on track position, gear changes, apex and top speeds in real-time – they can even listen in to the team radio broadcasts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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We\u2019ve taken this a step further. A more interactive form of real-time overlay was delivered by Target3D in partnership with Dimension Studios for the Golf US Open earlier this year. During broadcasts from the 148th Open Championship held in Royal Portrush, <\/span>Sky<\/span><\/a>‘s pundits made use of the new \u2018Sky Scope\u2019 feature which allowed presenters to analyse the techniques of star players using holograph replicas of each golfer. Top players such as Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and John Rahm visited Sky\u2019s mobile capture facility during practice session downtime to have special filming sessions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mocap footage was used to create lifelike holographs which are then transported to Sky\u2019s Open Zone studio, allowing the Sky Sports team to analyse, track and pause the players movements in 360 degrees.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Petros DeDoncker, Target3D\u2019s Motion Capture Technician, who installed and managed the optical tracking system which enabled the capture of the golf club, said \u201cAs a sports enthusiast, when I look at training utilising 2D video even I can determine the amount of info I get is very limited. This project enables the viewer to be fully immersed into an experience and move around in 3D and 360 and see how its performing from the left or right, or up or down, or bottom to top. As a learning platform it\u2019s really useful. It starts with golf, but you can think of any sport that contains a swing or a throw – tennis, cricket, squash, badminton. Because it\u2019s been proven with one sport, a similar tracking technique to other sports is easily transferable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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So what about viewer interaction with the content?\u00a0 There\u2019s a multitude of new ways for audiences to participate in their favourite sports events.\u00a0 You can even interact with the content from the comfort of your sofa!<\/span><\/p>\n

NBA recently introduced Predict the Game, the free-to-play contest NBC Sports Washington ran this year with a 20-game schedule.\u00a0 The contest includes dedicated studio hosts who will provide updates and interact with viewers throughout the game.<\/span><\/p>\n

The season\u2019s first Predict the Game augmented broadcast, featured a permanent graphic overlay with real-time statistics and sports betting information and prompted viewers to make predictions about the on-court action for the chance to win $500 in four separate quarter-long contests.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next year\u2019s Olympic Games, taking place in Japan, have a particular focus on making sure that viewers will be able to enjoy the action across all devices in the best possible form. Advances in entertainment technology mean that audiences are now primed to consume the 3,000 hours of coverage across 339 events in whichever way is most contextually suited to them, both while the events are live and in pre- and post-event form.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The rapid growth of esports is displayed in staggering numbers; in 2018, 380 million viewers watched an incredible 6.6 billion hours of it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine if, 125 years ago when the IOC was reestablished, the committee had been told esports may be added to the agenda! Well, we\u2019re almost there, with news that Intel is bringing an esports tournament to Japan in 2020. Looking ahead at ways to immerse viewers further in sports, Intel recently announced an Olympic-sanctioned e-sports tournament taking place days before the Games open, with an e-sports hotel in Tokyo due in time for the Games. Intel True VR will be deployed in a range of sports and venues for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and content will be distributed by rights-holding broadcasters, including the opening and closing ceremonies, track & field, gymnastics, boxing and beach volleyball.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mocap is already changing the way children in schools interact with sports…<\/strong><\/p>\n

Broadcasters need to look well beyond the traditional realms of TV, radio and online streaming to stay ahead, with children growing up with tech that wasn’t yet a concept 20 years ago. Younger people drive change. Already, the number of young people watching television is on the decline, favouring social media as a way of keeping up with friends, news and sports. Added to that, mocap is already changing the way children in schools interact with sports, with games publisher EA Sports creating a curriculum for children across England and Wales that can be used to inspire children to exercise. Liverpool defender Joe Gomez was joined by three Year 6 pupils who all donned mocap suits whilst they covered throwing, catching, marking and intercepting and heading. Their actions were captured by mocap cameras, were digitally enhanced in the same manner as the annual Fifa football game and the Ultimate PE Lesson is available as a free online resource for teachers via the Premier League Primary Stars website.<\/span><\/p>\n

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So, we can see that from the days of television and radio being King in the sports broadcasting arena, with the audience being passive, the future is firmly shaped by VR and mocap technology. Bringing the experience to fans to immerse themselves in, to be part of, not simply to view is key to this evolution. The dream of physically walking out onto the pitch at Wembley or taking a hairpin bend at Silverstone was always just that \u2013 a dream. With VR however, that dream is becoming a huge step more attainable. Events and social interaction are replacing traditional audience – content relationship.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The \u2018fan experience\u2019\u00a0 also explains the rebounding popularity of attending events among younger people and why so many fans try to recreate that experience in the home, whether for the big game or for Glastonbury. The abundance of digital video content makes most of it ephemeral and inessential. The challenge to sports broadcasters and rights holders is to frame their coverage in a way that shows it really matters.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you don\u2019t have participation,\u201d said Gareth Capon, Grabyo chief executive, \u201cIf you don\u2019t have an interest in the sport, then at some point it\u2019s going to disappear because you\u2019re going to have a generation of people who grow up and don\u2019t care.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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As the name suggests, <\/span>Target3D – the home of motion capture<\/span><\/i> are UK specialists in mocap and VR technology. Leaders Performance Institute members are invited for a demo of the latest tech and a chat with the biomechanics team – you can <\/span>get in touch with them here<\/a><\/span>.<\/span>
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Further reading from Target3D:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stay On Target: Three ways in Which Tech is Changing Sport<\/a><\/p>\n

Stay On Target: How Tech in Sports is Affecting Injuries and Rules<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n

\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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