Following the recent introduction of goal line technology, a new study has claimed football is on the verge of a technology boom, with the report suggesting that by 2020, ‘cameras will be routinely embedded in player kit’.
With camera technologies continuing to decrease in size, the new study has suggested that players could soon feature tiny wearable cameras integrated within their shirts, one of many possible technology-based improvements bound for the beautiful game and its fans.
Carried out by futures consultancy firm Futurizon on behalf of HTC, the future football study has suggested: “Players will wear visually similar clothing, though the fabrics will have video capability and be better at keeping players comfortable.”
The report added: “Football is a sport that is all about audience engagement. Technology has always been used to improve the quality of play and audience participation beyond the stadium.
“Today, we are used to ubiquitous cameras and sensors and access to a vast quantity of player and team statistics via our smartphones. Even football boots and clothes can be full of the latest technology. Broadcasters in particular have been ingenious ever since the invention of television in utilising the latest technologies to add extra dimensions to that engagement so that remote fans can enjoy their involvement even more, and we can be certain that future technologies will be harnessed just as enthusiastically.”
Although it has been claimed that such technologies will be ready by 2020, football’s governing body FIFA is renowned for its tough stance on technology in football. As such player-cams might be further away than technology alone dictates.
While football has yet to adopt wearable cameras, referees in both rugby league and rugby union have already adopted the technology to great visual effect, although devices are currently far too bulky for athletes.
Showing how near technologically advanced football is, sportswear giant Adidas has confirmed that later this year it will launch the Adidas miCoach Smart Ball, a sensor-equipped, performance monitoring footy designed to improve your ball control with app-based feedback.
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