Imagine you are sitting at home watching your favourite sport and you think the manager or referee has made a bad decision. But, instead of shouting at the television, you simply rewind and watch a virtual replay of what would have happened had the call been different.
Or seeing, via bodycam, what an umpire sees before deciding on their decision on whether a batsman is in or out.
Well, in the not-too-distant future, you might be able to do just that, thanks to Hawk-Eye.
In a world where sport and technology are rapidly converging, the British-born company, now Japanese-owned, stands out.
For 20 years the brainchild of Paul Hawkins, a computer and artificial intelligence expert, has led the way in revolutionising the manner in which cricket, tennis and football are covered.
What started out as an aid for fans on television has become an integral part of the officiating systems for many sports around the world.
It ensures fair play and the right decisions are made by eliminating human error, as far as is possible,
Video Assistant Referees (VAR), Semi Automated Offside (SAO), Goal Line Technology (GLT) and the Decision Review System (DRS), acronyms that trip off the tongue, were all developed by Hawk-Eye.
When Andre Agassi, the former tennis great, said 15 years ago that Hawk-Eye had made a bigger contribution to the game than most sportsmen, he was not wrong. That can now be said to be true for most sports in the world.
The effect of Hawk Eye has literally been game-changing.
It works with 23 of the top 25 sports leagues and federations in the world. Fifa uses its GLT, and its semi-automated offside tech was rolled out at the World Cup last year. This has speeded up decision making from about 75 seconds to 15 seconds. The company is looking into fully automated opportunities as well.
With a summer of sport in England coming up that includes the Wimbledon tennis championships, and the much-anticipated Ashes cricket series against Australia, Hawk-Eye, which Hawkins launched in 2001 after graduating from Durham University, will be at the forefront of coverage.
Tennis has benefited from the use of the technology by determining whether the ball is in or out to an accuracy of a few millimetres, so-called electronic ball tracking.
It uses several camera angles from on high to trace the ball’s trajectory, via six or more computer-linked television cameras situated around the court.
It has replaced line judges in many tournaments and last month the ATP, the men’s tour, decided it would become a permanent feature from 2025.
The majors, such as Wimbledon, sit outside that and make their own decisions. But with the US Open and its counterpart in Australia having already phased out line judges, the pressure will mount on Wimbledon and the French Open, where traditions runs deep, to follow suit.
All of the AI machine learning we do is based on real-life moments and data. We work with what's happening in real life in real time
Hawk Eye spokesman
In cricket DRS technology is used primarily to assist the umpire in leg-before-wicket decisions. Computers read and track the trajectory of the ball in real time. These numerous views are then combined to produce an accurate 3D representation of the ball’s flight.
Innovation and the pushing of boundaries never stops at the company, which in 2011 was taken over by Sony and is now part of the Japanese company’s sports entertainment business unit, including Pulselive (websites & apps), and Beyond Sports (virtual recreations of live sports).
Hawkins has stepped back to become chief innovations officer and to focus on research and development. It is a business which now employs more than 550 people and is valued at more than £250 million ($309 million).
Rufus Hack is now the chief executive.
Its most important recent development is SkeleTRACK, an optical tracking system developed with advanced image processing and machine-learning techniques.
It can track 29 skeletal points on every athlete as well as the ball; so can instantly and accurately track the players and the ball across the full pitch or the court.
In cricket the umpire body cam tracks the ball and does not need an onsite operator. It is already in development and testing has started in the UK.
Testing is fundamental in getting a product to market.
“We never release anything without extensive testing and validation via both clients and independent institutions,” a company representative said.
“And we do that alongside governing bodies and partners until they are satisfied with the level that we are producing of accuracy and consistency for elite sport.
“Assessment is a continuous process we have with our clients to ensure that we are continually innovating and pushing the boundaries of technology in sport, and making sure that we are addressing the current and future needs of every client no matter what.”
As Hawkins has said, credibility is absolutely essential because it takes an awfully long time to establish and a very short time to lose.
And while sports evolve and move forward there will always be a market for Hawk-Eye.
“Sports haven't stopped evolving in themselves. So, as the sport evolves, the rulebook evolves, which means how you officiate and the tools and technology that are needed have to continue to evolve with that.”
Is artificial intelligence seen as a potential threat? The company says not.
“When it comes to officiating we're working with facts,” the official continued. “Any AI machine learning we do, is based on real life and data. We work with what's happening on the field in real time with our data processed and available in less than a second."
At the Rugby World Cup coming up in the autumn, Hawk-Eye will be there providing services. But another company, Sportable, has developed the Smartball, where a computer chip is placed inside the ball to provide a range of data.
Hawk-Eye sees this as a complementary product rather than a rival.
“We are an optical tracking technology company. We use cameras, Sportable use chips. Both technologies have their benefits and also their challenges, so in sports such as Rugby, by utilising the complimenting technologies, we are able to solve problems for our shared clients.
"Hawk-Eye has always been at the forefront of pioneering change in sport. Building on a foundation of trust with the biggest governing bodies and leagues, we look forward to continually innovating with our partners, engaging with sporting communities and inspiring change in sport.”
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
Saturday results
Qatar beat Kuwait by 26 runs
Bahrain beat Maldives by six wickets
UAE beat Saudi Arabia by seven wickets
Monday fixtures
Maldives v Qatar
Saudi Arabia v Kuwait
Bahrain v UAE
* The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
The specs: 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS
Price: base / as tested: From Dh632,225
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 540hp @ 8,250rpm
Torque: 540Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L / 100km
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
The%20specs
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Country-size land deals
US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:
Louisiana Purchase
If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.
Florida Purchase Treaty
The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty.
Alaska purchase
America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".
The Philippines
At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million.
US Virgin Islands
It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.
Gwadar
The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees.
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Sweet%20Tooth
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Aayan%E2%80%99s%20records
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20UAE%20men%E2%80%99s%20cricketer%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EWhen%20he%20debuted%20against%20Bangladesh%20aged%2016%20years%20and%20314%20days%2C%20he%20became%20the%20youngest%20ever%20to%20play%20for%20the%20men%E2%80%99s%20senior%20team.%20He%20broke%20the%20record%20set%20by%20his%20World%20Cup%20squad-mate%2C%20Alishan%20Sharafu%2C%20of%2017%20years%20and%2044%20days.%3Cbr%3E%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20wicket-taker%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAfter%20taking%20the%20wicket%20of%20Bangladesh%E2%80%99s%20Litton%20Das%20on%20debut%20in%20Dubai%2C%20Aayan%20became%20the%20youngest%20male%20cricketer%20to%20take%20a%20wicket%20against%20a%20Full%20Member%20nation%20in%20a%20T20%20international.%3Cbr%3E%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20in%20T20%20World%20Cup%20history%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAayan%20does%20not%20turn%2017%20until%20November%2015%20%E2%80%93%20which%20is%20two%20days%20after%20the%20T20%20World%20Cup%20final%20at%20the%20MCG.%20If%20he%20does%20play%20in%20the%20competition%2C%20he%20will%20be%20its%20youngest%20ever%20player.%20Pakistan%E2%80%99s%20Mohammed%20Amir%2C%20who%20was%2017%20years%20and%2055%20days%20when%20he%20played%20in%202009%2C%20currently%20holds%20the%20record.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
Fight card
- Aliu Bamidele Lasisi (Nigeria) beat Artid Vamrungauea (Thailand) POINTS
- Julaidah Abdulfatah (Saudi Arabia) beat Martin Kabrhel (Czech Rep) POINTS
- Kem Ljungquist (Denmark) beat Mourad Omar (Egypt) TKO
- Michael Lawal (UK) beat Tamas Kozma (Hungary) KO
- Zuhayr Al Qahtani (Saudi Arabia) beat Mohammed Mahmoud (UK) POINTS
- Darren Surtees (UK) beat Kane Baker (UK) KO
- Chris Eubank Jr (UK) beat JJ McDonagh (Ireland) TKO
- Callum Smith (UK) beat George Groves (UK) KO
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
