AI broadcasts, laser player tracking: A look at the coolest tech at the MLS All-Star game
The passion of Spanish soccer broadcasts can make routine games seem extraordinary and exceptional games feel truly special.
In a booth at Lower.com Field during Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game you could hear that passion, from those same announcers, but in English, or French or possibly in 100 other languages in almost real time.
The game and its pageantry served as a celebration of what soccer and the league has become, but it also offered a glimpse of what it could be.
Artificial intelligence providing a translation of the Apple TV Spanish-language broadcast was just one of several new technologies displayed at the MLS Future of the Game Showcase during the event.
Chris Schlosser, MLS SVP of Emerging Ventures, said new stadiums like Lower.com Field allow the league to use technology more advanced than most soccer leagues, which have been around longer and thus have older infrastructure. The showcase was a way to demonstrate the possibilities, he added.
"We have the technologies to be on the forefront of global football," he said.
Here are five of the coolest technologies showcased Wednesday night.
Real-time AI translation
Camb.AI showcased its dubbing platform that translates a broadcaster's voice into more than 100 languages. On display Wednesday were the Spanish broadcasters who were calling the All-Star Game. The voice and tone from the original broadcaster were kept, only the words were changed. The translation of the game was on a five- to seven-minute delay, but the company hopes to get it to within two minutes.
Immersive augmented reality viewing
Immersiv.io showcased a way to watch that game as if you were in it. The company used Apple Vision Pro glasses to allow the user to not only watch the game, but also select players to view their stats or even place themselves on the field to relive a highlight in first person. The technology uses a person's eye as a mouse, so looking at players would highlight them, allowing the user to simply pinch their fingers to select them.
Player laser tracking
Lidar laser technology has been on the forefront for driverless vehicles, but Sportlight is hoping to bring its advancements to athletics. The company uses the technology in all Premier League stadiums in England and is testing it among American sports leagues. It requires a few devices to be installed in a stadium but does not require players to wear any devices.
The lidar works by measuring player acceleration and deceleration. Once gaining a baseline for a player over four games, it can detect abnormalities in player performance, which company representatives say can be a sign of injury risk. This information helps coaches and training staff manage players to better ensure health and performance.
Cyber soccer balls
The All-Star Game was the first in MLS history to use the new Adidas connected ball. The ball has a chip suspended inside that can track its speed, movement and every time the ball is touched. This provides information on which player last touched a ball before going in the net - important to know who scored the goal - and whether a ball actually grazed a defender's hand in the penalty box - to help referees determine if a penalty kick should be awarded.
Used in conjunction with other technology, the ball's sensor can also provide information on exactly when the ball was last kicked and help determine whether or not a player was offside.
Hyper accurate GPS tracking
Fitogether showcased their GPS technology, which company officials said is 100 times more accurate than most commercial GPS devices. It reportedly has margins of error of only 2-3 centimeters.
One practical application is that the device can show an athlete's acceleration with each step. This shows if a player is favoring one leg over the other, possibly a sign of injury or an athlete needing to amend their training regimen. The wearable device technology is approved by FIFA, the governing body of global soccer, according to company reps.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 2024 MLS All-Star Game showcased AI tech at Lower.com Field
