analysing broadcast footage, which focuses on the players in view and fills in the rest. Machine learning and generative AI joined the equation in the early 2020s, taking tracking technology even further and far surpassing what a human could reasonably do. “We have seen developments in AI to enhance tracking data,” states Karen Walker, VP of Camera Motion Systems at Ross Video. “AI has the ability to take in massive amounts of data and run scenarios to determine the best move, educating coaches and players.” Transforming the way both athletes and audiences experience sport, tracking tech improves the game for everyone. Fans first As sports fans, we expect certain perks. When watching a baseball game, we know how fast each pitch moves in miles per hour. Friends and family of marathon runners can follow a person’s location on the course. This information, while not compulsory, enhances the viewing experience, adding context and a sense of control over knowing exactly what, why, where and when something happens. During National Hockey League games, for instance, the puck – a small black dot moving rapidly around a white sheet of ice – can be incredibly hard to follow for TV viewers, especially those new to watching the sport. Players also rotate on and off the ice constantly, with shifts normally lasting only a minute or two. These fast-paced matches require meticulous attention
to every detail: an overwhelming ask for many fans. In 2020, the NHL instated real-time puck- and player-tracking (PPT) with the help of Sportsmedia Technology, which provided both broadcast and in-venue solutions. The company had previously designed the HITS (Hockey Information and Tracking System), which served as the NHL’s official scoring and administrative system for the 1000+ games played every season. After 13 years, SMT began developing a comprehensive tracking package that combines data analytics, automated replays, user-
friendly graphical inserts and a host of other features. A critical element of SMT’s PPT solution is the ability to give at- home and in-person fans a similar experience. When broadcasters got wind of tracking technology and in-game analysis, attending a live game versus watching at home became two distinct activities. It’s often easier to follow what’s going on via TV, as visual overlays provide key information. Now, in-stadium NHL fans can enjoy the same data on puck and player speeds, time on ice, face-off predictions and more,
WATCH ME! How puck- and player-tracking technology was used effectively in the NHL All-Star Game 2019
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