What is Hawk-Eye?
If you are an engineer wondering if this is about Marvel’s Avengers, well… almost. We will discuss Tony Stark’s similar cutting-edge technology, developed by real engineers.
There is a lot at stake in the modern sporting world. From the players’ and fans’ hopes and dreams to the millions in prize money on offer. All told a massive industry inspires huge numbers of TV viewers and punters looking to take advantage of the latest betting offer to enhance the action.
With so much on the line, the decisions concerning the outcome of a sporting event must be correct. However, for decades, this area of decision-making has been entirely reliant on the judgment of a single official or official. This is a far from ideal scenario, which has improved immeasurably following the introduction of technology in sports.
When it comes to sporting technologies, few—if any—have proved so beneficial and influential as Hawk-Eye’s. But what exactly is this system? How does it work? And in which sports is it utilized?
An Eye on the Correct Decision
Now owned by Sony, Hawk-Eye was designed and developed in the UK by engineer and artificial intelligence expert Dr. Paul Hawkins (hence the name). A ball tracking system, Hawk-Eye utilizes high-speed vision processing cameras throughout a sporting ground – most commonly on the underside of the roof – to follow the ball’s motion from various angles. Multiple frame analysis from each camera is combined to create a 3D image of the ball’s trajectory, creating a flight path accurate to within 3.6mm. It is not 100% accurate, but significantly more so than the human eye, and it is good enough to be adopted by many of the world’s major sporting bodies.
Which Major Sports Use Hawk-Eye?
Football
One of only a handful of FIFA-sanctioned goal-line technology systems, Hawk-Eye has been installed in close to 100 stadiums around the world. Regularly used in the biggest games on the planet, including in the Premier League and Bundesliga, the technology is vital in close goal-line decisions—it informs the referee whether the entirety of the ball has crossed the line.
Cricket
Cricket was the sport that first brought Hawk-Eye into the public consciousness. Initially used solely for the benefit of viewers during TV coverage, Hawk-Eye is now utilized by the third umpire in international cricket to assess leg-before-wicket (LBW) decisions.
Tennis
In a game of small margins, tennis matches can swing on the result of a single point and whether a ball is called in or out in a close situation. A natural environment for Hawk-eye. Of the season’s four major tournaments, only the French Open – where the ball leaves a visible mark on the soft clay surface – does not employ the system. Rather than being used for every point, players are allowed a specified number of challenges per match, in which Hawk-Eye is called upon to review the on-court decision.
A Technology in Sports Success Story
While some fans oppose the general principle of engineering and technology in sport, Hawk-Eye is a fine example of the two worlds colliding positively. Increasing the accuracy of decisions and overruling errors can only benefit players and fans alike, and in this area, Dr. Hawkins’s brainchild has few equals.
