Artificial intelligence has gradually permeated our daily lives, including various sports events. From athletes' daily training to refereeing and broadcasting during matches, as well as post-game fan interactions, AI is seen as an auxiliary force enhancing various aspects. It makes the games more exciting, reduces errors and disputes, and enhances fan engagement. This article will introduce you to the applications of artificial intelligence in various aspects of the sports industry and the solutions introduced by Arrow Electronics and its partners.
Artificial Intelligence brings revolutionary advancements to the sports industry
Currently, many emerging technologies are being applied to the field of sports AI, combining artificial intelligence with sports activities to make events exciting both on and off the field. There are now many intelligent wearable devices, fitness applications, computer vision, and virtual reality technologies that can assist in monitoring the health and real-time tracking of athletes' schedules. Data analysis can be used to identify patterns and trends for athlete performance analysis, detect the pressure athletes' bodies face in specific areas, and help prevent injuries.
During game broadcasts, artificial intelligence technology can assist referees in avoiding errors and provide more game data for viewers. AI can also provide real-time decision support for coaches to potentially change game outcomes. After the game, chatbots can enhance fan engagement on social media, and the use of AR/VR can provide immersive experiences for viewers. Furthermore, computer vision and big data can personalize recommendations for instant game highlights, support predictions of team or even individual athlete performance, demonstrating the role of artificial intelligence among sports enthusiasts.
Sports AI technology is becoming a powerful driver for the sports industry in terms of efficiency, decision-making, athlete performance, and even sports news development. Through functions such as tracking, predictive analysis, and computer vision, coaches can determine the right preparation plans for athletes. On the other hand, media companies are using artificial intelligence in the sports field to enhance reporting capabilities and ultimately increase revenue, bringing revolutionary advancements to the sports industry.
Innovative sports equipment enhances athlete performance
Furthermore, artificial intelligence can also be applied to the innovation of sports equipment. Some sports equipment companies are harnessing the capabilities of AI to create more sophisticated and performance-enhanced gear. For example, AI soccer and AI basketballs can record the flight path, force, and angles of the ball to assist in understanding athlete performance and provide more data during game broadcasts, increasing the visibility of the matches. There are also smart tennis rackets that use AI to enable players to hit with unprecedented power and precision.
Additionally, there are AI golf clubs equipped with sensors that monitor the golfer's swing and use this data to adjust the club's swing weight for optimization tailored to individual users. Innovative AI running shoes can adjust the shoe's cushioning levels based on the user's fatigue level, measured through monitoring activity and heart rate, ensuring optimal comfort and support throughout the entire running process. AI-powered bicycles can calculate the most efficient route to the user's destination using GPS and traffic data, ensuring a smoother and faster ride. The impact of artificial intelligence on sports equipment innovation is profound, shaping a new era of precision, personalization, and empowerment in sports.
AI has many potential applications in the sports industry, and it is becoming increasingly prevalent. According to statistics, the value of AI in the sports industry is projected to reach $19.2 billion by 2030, indicating significant market development potential.
Computer vision can analyze athletes' motion data
Currently, there are two main technologies used for AI sports analysis, which involve utilizing cameras for video analysis and using positioning systems to analyze various sports data.
Using cameras for computer vision sports video analysis has made significant advancements and can perform various key operations, such as detailed and complex analysis in sports like soccer, basketball, baseball, badminton, and more. Research in this field focuses on various computer vision techniques for performing different tasks. Sports video analysis can be applied for advanced analysis, including athlete detection and classification, tracking athletes or balls during play, predicting trajectories of athletes or balls, identifying team strategies, and categorizing various events during the game.
An innovative non-contact sports analysis system has been developed by the ESC (Engineering Solutions Center) at Arrow Electronics, designed specifically for sports science. This system utilizes artificial intelligence and multiple sensors to assist athletes in identifying and improving their movement issues to enhance their sports performance.
The system incorporates a high-speed RGB camera, Analog Devices' time-of-flight (ToF) sensor for capturing images and 3D data, and STMicro's 3D acceleration MEMS sensor (LIS2DH12) for calculating hitting timing. It detects key skeletal points in the human body using AI technology, enabling the calculation and analysis of motion data for different body parts.
Taking the analysis of upper limb movement consistency in table tennis players as an example, the system accurately captures and records the upper limb movements of athletes, including the trajectories and variations of the arm, shoulder, and chest. Athletes can use the analytical data provided by the system to gain a deeper understanding of their sports techniques and movement details, allowing for targeted improvements and optimizations.
The sports analysis system is not limited to table tennis but is also applicable to various other sports such as bowling, running, and more. It can be used for personal training and skill enhancement, providing comprehensive, accurate, and real-time data support for athletes and coaches alike. By combining artificial intelligence and sensor technology, this system empowers athletes to achieve better results in their respective sports and offers valuable analytical tools for coaches to guide training and improve team performance.
STMicro's LIS2DH12 is an ultra-low-power, high-performance three-axis linear accelerometer belonging to the "femto" series. It features digital I2C/SPI serial interface with standard output. The LIS2DH12 offers user-selectable full-scale ranges of ±2g/±4g/±8g/±16g and can measure acceleration at output data rates from 1 Hz to 5.3 kHz. Its self-test capability allows users to check the sensor's operation in the final application.
The LIS2DH12 can be configured to generate interrupt signals by detecting two independent inertial wake-up/free-fall events, as well as the device's orientation. It comes in a small thin plastic land grid array package (LGA) and is designed to operate within an extended temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.
Using UWB and GPS for tracking athletes during team sports
In team sports, the individual performance of each athlete and the execution of tactical guidance by training units can significantly impact the team's overall success. Having a clear understanding of athlete performance and tactical data can enhance training efficiency. By utilizing tracking systems with integrated sensor technology, parameters such as sprinting, movement changes, mileage, and physical stress for each athlete can be recorded. Analyzing the overall data provides a detailed insight into training efficiency and the implementation of game objectives, visualizing the actual execution of tactics in both game situations and training formats.
Measurement and storage of sports data can include metrics like running distance, speed, sprints, and in-game activities, all while applying targeted pressure control for each athlete. Cost-effective solutions are employed to minimize hardware usage as much as possible.
By simultaneously tracking the positions of on-field athletes using GPS or UWB technology, coaching staff can gain real-time insights into the actual tactical lineup based on the technology used. They can also monitor adherence to tactical guidelines continuously. If trackers are used for real-time transmission during matches, performance and statistical data can be displayed. For audiences in stadiums or in front of televisions, additional information channels can be utilized to watch sporting events.
UWB technology is an indoor positioning wireless technology that provides low power consumption and high-speed transmission. It is suitable for wireless personal area network (WPAN) communication, home network connectivity, and short-range radar applications. UWB is a promising indoor positioning and tracking technology and is also applicable in outdoor environments where surrounding infrastructure interference is minimal.
Arrow Electronics offers an RTLS (UWB) solution that includes reference designs for UWB tags and anchor nodes to facilitate rapid UWB product development. Arrow Electronics' RTLS (UWB) solution is based on the Murata UWB module, integrated with NXP’s SR150 and SR040. It achieves an accuracy of ±10cm and uses TWR (Two-Way Ranging) and PDoA technology to obtain distance and direction information. It can simultaneously support up to 5 anchors and 40 tags, offering a UWB RTLS demo with a dashboard for exploring UWB applications alongside customers.
NXP's Trimension™ SR150 is a secure UWB solution designed for the specific requirements of IoT devices, featuring Angle of Arrival (AoA) technology to enhance accuracy. NXP's integrated FiRa™ MAC supports interoperability with the growing market of UWB devices and offers interoperability with the Apple U1 chip with firmware v.3.14.0. The Trimension SR150 is well-suited for various large-scale infrastructure applications, including access control installations, indoor positioning setups, payment solutions, and consumer products such as TVs and gaming consoles. Multiple SR150 IC devices can be placed as UWB anchors in a room to assist in locating moving individuals and objects within the room.
Conclusion
With the comprehensive integration of artificial intelligence technology into the sports industry, the landscape of sports is undergoing a transformation. This transformation promises to enhance training efficiency for athletes, make the competition more exciting, and provide a better viewing experience for spectators. The introduction of artificial intelligence into the sports industry brings revolutionary changes and drives significant market opportunities. Arrow Electronics has developed a range of reference designs and solutions tailored for the application of artificial intelligence in the sports industry. These offerings are designed to accelerate the development of related products. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact Arrow Electronics.