100% accuracy in catching the thinnest of edges
HOT SPOT
HotSpot is a television innovation - first seen during Channel Nine's
coverage of the 2006-07 Ashes - that uses infrared camera technology to
determine whether a batsman has made contact with a delivery, and if so,
which part of his bat or body made contact.
WORKING PRINCIPLE
Two powerful thermal-imaging cameras are positioned above the field of
play, behind the bowler's arm at either end of a ground. These can
remotely sense and measure the minute amount of heat generated by the
impact of a cricket ball against another object. Computer technology
then generates a negative image on which the point of contact is
highlighted as a red friction "hot spot" for a second or two. HotSpot
doesn't only record impacts between the ball and other objects, but also
the bat hitting a pad or the ground.
If there are two simultaneous hot spots - ball on pad
and bat brushing pad - close together, how do you differentiate?
Two hot spots would appear, one fractionally before the other, according
to the sequence of the events. HotSpot is therefore useful in instances
of bat-pad impacts in determining whether the ball hit bat or pad
first.
What technology does the application use?
HotSpot uses technology developed in the military for tank- and
jet-fighter tracking. The technology was adapted for television by BBG
Sports, the Australian company responsible for the Snickometer, in
conjunction with Sky Sports. Channel Nine producer Steve Crawley
described HotSpot as "100% backed up by science", as opposed to other
applications.
Has it been used in any other sport?
HotSpot has only been used in cricket - though its services are not
available to umpires under the current referral system - but work is
underway to adapt the technology for use in tennis.
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