April 9, 2005 Watching live sport could take on new meanings in the future as new technologies put a virtual dashboard of information, infographics and overlays that enhance the experience in different ways for newbies and experts. This week the Bermuda Masters 2005 is not only showcasing the world's top 31 squash players, but a remarkably enhanced visual experience is being "test driven", as new technology captures on-court play and offers a compelling internet experience via SquashTrac, the latest innovation from award-winning interactive technology group Virtual Spectator.
Just as glass courts added a break-through dimension to visualizing play action, VS SquashTrac enhances the court-side experience with added visual dimensions and player analytics. For fans unable to enjoy the warm hospitality of Bermuda during the event, and for players after each match, VS SquashTrac and video highlights from the 2005 Bermuda Masters are available here.
VS SquashTrac combines multi-camera video, electronic player tracking, and thermographic imaging to provide multiple perspectives and performance analytics on a squash player's every move. Through the VS squash viewer over the web, for television broadcast or through digital tablets at the event, the user is virtually in complete control of how the game is viewed. The interface gives the user access to choose from various high-definition (HD) camera angles, an infrared view, and an array of statistics and data, captured live at the event, and, of course, the 3D animations for which Virtual Spectator is well known.
Virtual Spectator (VS) is a leading interactive visualization and sports information group known for its 3D interactive animations of America's Cup sailing, World Rally Motor Sports, golf, rugby, cricket, horse racing, and in Bermuda, the world's premier match racing event, The King Edward the VII Gold Cup. The group has a history of world-class technology innovation with a focus on visualization products designed to simplify complex data and ease understanding of nuances in sports, as well as business data.
The development of VS SquashTrac represents a fast-track collaboration of the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association, Virtual Spectator's New Zealand 3D animation team, its Australian real-time technologies group, coordinated and produced by ImageAction Ltd.
Bermuda Masters Director Ross Triffitt commented, "I am delighted that a major player in world sports technology chose to be the Title Sponsor of the Bermuda Masters. I am even more pleased about how much their new interface enhances not only the event, but the understanding of the sport in general."
"Having just rolled out our 'VS Event Experience' at the Investors Guaranty Presentation of The King Edward VII Gold Cup in Bermuda in October, we were able to shorten the normal lead time for developing and applying VS technology to squash," said Curtis Worthy of ImageAction Ltd.
Worthy, the Project Executive added, "Our challenge was in gaining sufficient insight to simplify the sport for our viewers, yet creating the advanced visual and performance analytics needed by the players, coaches and broadcast commentators. Ross Triffitt, Kim Carter and their dedicated volunteer team are so passionate about the sport and were a great beta-client in developing VS SquashTrac. Of course, the enthusiasm, feedback and suggestion of the players, officials and fans has been tremendous."
Virtual Spectator is at the forefront of 3D graphics, animation, technologies, education, and broadcast, enhancing the visualization and understanding of premier sporting events.
Powered by VS3D, Virtual Spectator's award-winning animation and graphics products have been the technology of choice by world-class events including the PGA Tour, Wimbledon, World Rally Championship, Volvo Ocean Race, Formula 1, America's Cup, ECB, Cricket Australia, The King Edward VII Gold Cup, and the Olympic Games. Virtual Spectator's sports management and data capture technologies provide interactive sports data, statistics, and graphics to broadcast television and the Internet. Virtual Spectator is a member of the Investors Guaranty Global Alliance.
