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The ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 has been featuring a lot of new and unique technology that have spiced up many game-altering decisions. One such example is the VAR (video assistant referee) technology which has been crucial in determining several offside goals thus far. Aside from the VAR, however, lies another key piece of tech – the live ball-tracking mechanism – the first time FIFA World Cup is utilising such a tool. Here is what you need to know about the special tracking tech equipped within the official match ball, Al Rihla, in this year’s FIFA World Cup.

How does live ball-tracking work?

Designed by KINEXON, a Germany-based AI solutions provider, the balls used in this year’s FIFA World Cup contain a lightweight sensor inside them. These sensors, which are built with an intertial measurement unit (IMU) that can utilise ultra-wideband (UWB) radio frequency, can provide real-time spatial positioning and movement information.

The motion tracking of the balls is made possible thanks to KINEXON’s signature Local Positioning System (LPS), which is installed around the pitches the matches are being played in. As such, referees and officials can analyse at all times where the ball is going, where players are positioned, where they are moving to and from where, as well as any other instances happening around the field.

KINEXON states in their website that the sensor inside the ball can detect both two and three-dimensional movements, give output in real time and provide centimeter-accurate calculations with a delay of less than 20 microseconds. As such, making official decisions that affects the live gameplay is now easier than ever before.

Furthermore, the sensor inside the ball stays in place thanks to special suspension technology designed by Adidas. The suspension ensures that the sensor stays within the centre of the ball’s interior and is not damaged or removed during the game.

A visualisation of how the ball tracking works. Image: KINEXON

How does the ball-tracking help?

KINEXON states in their website that with this live ball tracking technology, it is possible to accurately pinpoint a specific player’s individual performance thanks to this automated technology. Analysts can use up-to-date, real-time information to figure out how each player performed, especially during critical situations such as goals, penalties and offsides.

The information provided from the sensors is made available as a comprehensive data package. This includes data concerning distance covered by the ball, the ball’s acceleration and speed, how far players sprinted during attacking and defending, what the dribbling speed was at any given time, the speed at which the ball was shot during goals, passing accuracy of the teams, etc.

The KINEXON tracking sensors also help visualise real-time information for better presentation during the live matches. Since the sensors can accurately indicate metrics regarding shots and passes, match statistics can be updated in real time to enhance the audience’s viewing experience.

Here’s everything you need to know about VAR technology

According to KINEXON, their signature ball tracking solutions were validated by FIFA EPTS testing in September last year. From 2022 World Cup forward, KINEXON was designated FIFA’s first-ever preferred provider of live player and ball tracking.

Additionally, as part of the optical tracking system known as Hawk-Eye, this year’s World Cup is utilising 12 tracking cameras placed underneath the roof of the stadium as well as 29 data points to track each players’ exact position on the field.

Dubbed the ‘semi-automated offside program’, the combination of the ball tracker and the VAR technology has made it much easier to make important game decisions whenever required.

The World Cup balls are charged before every game. The balls used at the World Cup in Qatar have a high-tech sensor that needs to be charged.

The sensor is powered by a small battery, which Adidas said can last for six hours of active use, or up to 18 days when not. The sensor, which weighs just 14 grams, gives ball-tracking in real-time; with cameras positioned around the pitch helping referees to determine offside and other questionable decisions.

Any time the ball is kicked, headed, thrown, or even so much tapped, the system picks it up at 500 frames per second. Data is sent in real-time from sensors to a local positioning system (LPS), which involves a setup of network antennas installed around the playing field that take in and store the data for immediate use.

When a ball flies out of bounds during the course of play, and a new ball is thrown or kicked in to replace it, KINEXON’s backend system automatically switches to the new ball’s data input without the need for human intervention.

[DailyMail]