The future of sports is forever changing and developing, with new technology being introduced to the market that will change the way we live, work, and entertain ourselves. We have already seen a massive influx of new tech taking over the market that we have never seen before, but what does the future of football look like with all these new developments? While this technology may improve your live casino experience, how can it impact the beautiful game?
Semi-Automated Offside
Looking into the modern game, we have already seen the slow introduction of semi-automated offside systems in the likes of La Liga, the Champions League, Serie A, and most recently, the Premier League; it has still not been rolled out in all the major leagues and tournaments around the world, though we expect it will continue to be developed and distributed. But what is this new technology?
The semi-automated offside system is an all-new way for officials to better determine what is offside and what is onside more accurately, rather than using the VAR system, in which they draw lines, which has been known to result in mistakes in the past. The technology uses an accurate AI system linked to the stadium’s cameras to create an animated image of the offside call. It creates a wall at the point of the last defender, showing if the attacker is in an onside position. The goal of using this technology is to make more accurate calls while also speeding up the time of VAR checks, which has also been an issue in previous seasons. This is one piece of technology that is currently being introduced and developed in the modern day, making you wonder how AI is going to further develop the beautiful game.
Foul Detection Algorithms
Staying on the theme of new technology assisting in officiating games, foul detection algorithms are a technology currently being developed with the hopes of being brought into the game. Similar to the SAOT previously mentioned, this technology uses AI and cameras to determine the speed of the ball, the speed of the player, the direction of the tackle, the power of the tackle, and limb movement to determine a foul, as well as intent and punishment. The technology will also be able to detect off-the-ball incidents and notify the referee of handballs, any form of violent conduct, diving and shirt pulling. With some features of the technology still being worked on, it’s unlikely we will see this technology in the near future, but it is a big project that could change the officiating of the game forever.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is a piece of technology that has become more and more popular in recent years, with the likes of the Apple Vision Pro taking this to the next level. But how could this be used in Football? While it could be used to improve the experience from the stands, sharing stats and analysis, it could be more valuable to assist in player training. Using augmented reality means players could train as usual, but have visuals displayed for things such as improvements, show passing lanes, or even give feedback on a particular play. It means players can see what mistakes they are making, and what they can improve on in real time, helping to grow players and assist the coaching staff with personalised feedback.
Mental Performance
Mental performance in football is equally as important as a player’s physical state and ability, with the pressure taking a toll on some players. In the future, it may be possible for this to be tracked and monitored, to provide assistance for players to combat mental stress and improve decision-making. Using neurofeedback, the players’ decision-making and emotional responses can be tracked, allowing coaches to detect if players may need to improve certain areas of decision-making or improve an area of their game that may put them under pressure. Cognitive wearables could also be implemented to help players manage mental fatigue and emotional state, helping to manage their mental performance as well as their physical state. It’s equally as important to monitor a player’s mental well-being as well as their physical ability, so the introduction of this technology in the future could be a great addition to help progress players at the top level.
Final Thoughts
The future of football and sport in general can be impacted massively by new technology, from viewing the action as a supporter, to officiating the game, to even being on the pitch and improving your game. Football will forever be adapted by new technological developments, whether supporters are fans of the new technology coming into the sport, it is inevitable that the beautiful game will rely less and less on human decision-making and officiating.
To read more, Click Here