Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MODERATOR (autoMated radiO frequency iDEntification enabled cameRA auTOmation solution foR fencing)
Période du rapport: 2016-08-01 au 2016-11-30
Fencing is a sport that has been quite forward looking in terms of technology for adjudication, including the introduction of instant replays for video refereeing. However today’s manual systems have trouble tracking two rapidly moving athletes. The components of Moderator are a technology which tracks a pair of athletes’ movements along the fencing piste and a camera tracking algorithm which moves the camera according to the athletes’ positions. Storage, replay capabilities and performance analytics sit behind this system to provide a robust commercial offering for video referees, athletes and fencing clubs. Our patent application has been approved nationally and is pending international confirmation, while we have on-boarded the Italian Fencing Federation as a project partner. It was initially designed for the sport of fencing, but has the potential to apply in a number of other sports such as Kendo, Taekwondo, Judo and Karate. Moderator will make the adjudication of highest level combative sports fairer and more transparent, with benefits for both athletes and spectators, while also providing valuable performance analytics.
The technology employed for this solution has been validated with the building of a first prototype. A freedom to operate analysis performed to ensure no intellectual property obstacles exist. A risk analysis was also prepared to identify potential hazards in implementation. We have contacted directly several international governing bodies for fencing to determine the market for the adoption of Moderator and received a very positive response across the board, as well as identifying important considerations of customers in specifying such systems. After fully evaluating the market for Moderator we see that there is indeed a strong opportunity, not just in fencing, but in other combative sports also. Therefore we conclude that Moderator is strong project and that we will proceed with a Phase 2 submission.
Technology is increasingly important in sports adjudication; for fairness, transparency and entertainment value. It affects not only participant and spectator satisfaction, but large sums of money and the fate of large commercial organisations are at stake at professional levels. For that reason, athletes and their clubs are also looking for better ways to analyse performance and gain a competitive advantage. Moderator is an important enabling technology in that scenario and a first step towards better use of technology in under-represented sports activities.