A camera system worn directly by the players was tested during the friendly match between Cologne and AC Milan on Saturday.
Article written by
Published
Update
Reading time : 1 min.
A subtle ball stung to get around the goalkeeper before concluding in front of the empty goal. Olivier Giroud had fun during the friendly match between his AC Milan team and the Cologne club on Saturday. The French international striker scored twice in the victory of his team (2-1), two achievements that the public could savor like never before: two players from the German team were equipped with cameras and offered an unprecedented visual perspective.
DELL’INNOVAZIONE MATCH ⚽️
Durante la partita di pre campionato trasmessa ieri in esclusiva su #Sportitalia tra Colonia e Milan, è stato possibile, grazie a una nuova tecnologia, far indossare ad alcuni giocatori una vera e propria telecamera
Resultato? pic.twitter.com/E8k36iBura
— Sportitalia (@tvdellosport) July 17, 2022
The principle is simple. The players are dressed in light vests – like the GPS bras worn more and more frequently by footballers – which contain a high-definition camera. A small hole in the jersey leaves the lens beyond. “This technology allows fans to instantly follow the action from the player’s perspective”explained Eran Tal, leader and co-founder of MindFly, the company responsible for this feat, to I24News, last May.
The cameras are independent, and identify through the use of artificial intelligence where the action is, such as the ball in the example of football. Enough to offer live images or almost, as if you were really on the ground. The immersion is quite impressive, like this first goal scored on Saturday by Olivier Giroud.
Technological progress (miniaturization of cameras, stabilization, progression of AI, etc.) offers exciting new possibilities in the broadcasting of sporting events. The Israeli company MindFly has already signed a contract with Euroleague basketball, and several players will wear this device during matches next season. The opportunity to experience the intensity of the competition and the most spectacular actions of the matches up close. Recently, other similar technologies have emerged in other disciplines, such as the camera in the helmet of Formula 1 drivers.