Technology
Uncovering sports DNA
Since the 1960s, SAAB has been developing technology for image processing using stereo vision. This technology has been used mainly for military purposes such as missile guidance, but it has also been used in civil applications such as road tolls.
TRACAB Image Tracking System™
The TRACAB Image Tracking System™ uses this technology to identify the position of all moving objects in a sports arena in real-time. The outcome of the analysis is a data feed with X, Y and Z coordinates for all objects. The precision of the measurements is below one decimeter. The data feed is used by different applications serving various customer needs.
One of the biggest advantages is that the system uses no transmitters or any other kind of device on the players or the ball. The system does not in any way interfere with the game.
The Tracab system has been modified and developed considerably since the first production in the Swedish Royal League Final in the spring of 2005. During over a 1,000 live productions the system has been exposed to numerous challenges in terms of weather, light conditions, stadia conditions, logistic challenges etcetera.
This has shaped the system to where it is today - the only proven solution that can deliver true three dimensional tracking of a football match in real time.
Multi Camera Units
The system consists of two multi-camera units which contains eight small cameras each. By using more than one camera the system gets less sensitive to a camera failure, even if one camera fails the unit will still be operational. It also provides the camera units with the feature of dynamic resolution, meaning that the individual cameras can be angled so that the camera unit delivers a higher resolution in the parts of the pitch where there are most crowded and occluded situations, such as the penalty boxes.
Stereo Vision Technology
The Tracab system is based on SAAB patented stereo vision technology. This basically means that every inch of the pitch is constantly covered by at least two cameras. The x, y, z measurements for the objects on the pitch are made through analysing both these images and, most importantly, the difference between them. This method results in true three dimensional tracking.
Facts
Stereo vs Mono Technology
Tracking objects from video can be achieved using one point of view - monocular vision or combining several points of view - stereo vision. The basic difference is in the video analysis result. Mono vision will result in two dimensional tracking, with no real sense of depth, whereas stereo vision results in a three dimensional tracking. As an example, it is impossible to track the ball accurate without three dimensional tracking.
By using stereo vision technology, TRACAB is the only company in the world that provides accurate three dimensional tracking data in real time.
Mono Solution
TRACAB Stereo Solution
Products
Broadcast
A wide portfolio of possibilities based on our real-time positioning data.
Broadband
Multiple new and unique possibilities online to connect with the fans.
Mobile
A virtual presentation in real time of angle, information, statistics and more.
Raw data or bespoke, ready-to-print tables and graphics from our portal.
Coaching
Create a dynamic and interactive system for analyzing a football match.
Regulatory Assistance
Non intrusive, real-time referee support and regulatory assistance tools.