 Virtual
Spectator…
The first time I read those two words, I said to myself, “what the heck is
that…?”
You’ve got to realise that I’m the kind of girl who is still amazed by the
principle of a fax, so all this 3D stuff, internet, streaming, goes
straight over my head.
 So
I asked Curtis Worthy to explain the basis of it to me. It’s a HD (read
High Definition) technology that can be adapted to all apparatus, from
plasma screens to notebooks or even mobile phones.
The company started to work in squash only ten weeks ago, and what they
have achieved in such a short time is just amazing. The machines that are
shown here are still under development, and look like heavy machinery, but
soon, all will be held in two containers.
Wicked…
They are also developing internet software that will allow you to choose
your camera angle (you’ll be the director of your own show), read the
stats, listen to the after match interviews…
Amazing…
One thing I know.
Soon, all this software, all those fancy programs, those toys, those
analyses, will make people like me redundant. They will be able to show
you precisely why a player won or lost, precisely, analytically,
errorless.
No, joke apart, have a look, have a read…
The future of sport is here, and it’s called Virtual Spectator…
MALCOLM IMPRESSED ...
The sponsorship and involvement of Virtual Spectator is potentially
one of the most exciting developments in squash since the glass
court.
On show at the Jessie Vesey Sports Centre all week have been
pictures of action on the glass court of the highest quality, as
well as screens with technical data which must be of massive
interest to Sports Science world wide.
Although the company has had long term involvement in sailing and
have provided graphics and design at Wimbledon, have worked with the
PGA in America and the Cricket Boards of Australia and England, they
are always looking for new avenues for their sophisticated equipment
and they seem very happy so far with what squash offers.
Curtis Worthy, who is directing on-site operations for the
Bermuda-based company, says he hopes that this technology may be of
much use in various areas of the game, such as streaming and
scientific development. Looking at what Virtual Spectator has to
offer I have no doubt his hopes and expectations will be met.
Malcolm Willstrop |
Peter Nicol talks about VS
|
VIRTUAL SPECTATOR PREVIEWS SQUASH
TECHNOLOGY
A Unique Interactive Experience for the Bermuda Masters 2005
This week the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2005 is not only
showcasing the world’s top 31 squash players, but a remarkably enhanced
visual experience is being “test driven”, as new technology captures
on-court play. VS SquashTrac™ is the latest VS innovation,
currently in beta-testing, using the award-winning interactive technology
of Virtual Spectator™ and the combined resources of Investors Guaranty
Group™.
Just as glass courts added a break-through dimension to visualizing play
action, VS SquashTrac™ enhances the court-side experience with added
visual dimensions and player analytics. For fans unable to enjoy the warm
hospitality of Bermuda during the event, and for players after each match,
VS SquashTrac™ and video highlights from the 2005 Bermuda Masters are
available on a
special preview site.
VS SquashTrac™ combines multi-camera video, electronic player tracking,
and thermographic imaging to provide multiple perspectives and performance
analytics on a squash player’s every move. Through the VS squash viewer
over the web, for television broadcast or through digital tablets at the
event, the user is virtually in complete control of how the game is
viewed. The interface gives the user access to choose from various
high-definition (HD) camera angles, an infrared view, and an array of
statistics and data, captured live at the event, and, of course, the 3D
animations for which Virtual Spectator is well known.
Virtual Spectator™ (VS) is a leading interactive visualization and sports
information group known for its 3D interactive animations of America’s Cup
sailing, World Rally Motor Sports, golf, rugby, cricket, horse racing, and
in Bermuda, the world’s premier match racing event, The King Edward the
VII Gold Cup. The group has a history of world-class technology innovation
with a focus on visualization products designed to simplify complex data
and ease understanding of nuances in sports, as well as business data.
The development of VS SquashTrac™ represents a fast-track collaboration of
the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association, Virtual Spectator’s New Zealand
3D animation team, its Australian real-time technologies group,
coordinated and produced by ImageAction Ltd.
 Bermuda
Masters Director Ross Triffitt commented, “I am delighted that a
major player in world sports technology chose to be the Title Sponsor of
the Bermuda Masters. I am even more pleased about how much their new
interface enhances not only the event, but the understanding of the sport
in general.”
 “Having
just rolled out our “VS Event Experience” at the Investors Guaranty™
Presentation of The King Edward VII Gold Cup in Bermuda in October, we
were able to shorten the normal lead time for developing and applying VS
technology to squash” said Curtis Worthy of ImageAction Ltd.
Worthy, the Project Executive added, “Our challenge was in gaining
sufficient insight to simplify the sport for our viewers, yet creating the
advanced visual and performance analytics needed by the players, coaches
and broadcast commentators. Ross Triffitt, Kim Carter and their dedicated
volunteer team are so passionate about the sport and were a great
beta-client in developing VS SquashTrac™. Of course, the enthusiasm,
feedback and suggestion of the players, officials and fans has been
tremendous.”
 Investors
Guaranty™ companies have been Bermuda-based since 1985. Investors
Guaranty™ Chairman and CEO, and a Director of Virtual Spectator™,
Douglas L. King, commented:
“The Investors Guaranty Foundation participated in last year’s event in
sponsoring Children’s Health Week. When approached to be this year’s title
sponsor, we were honored to associate ourselves with such a world-class
event. We couldn’t resist joining our Virtual Spectator™ unit’s advanced
technology and well-know brand to one of the world’s top squash
challenges.”
Special Preview Site |
So
I asked Curtis Worthy to explain the basis of it to me. It’s a HD (read
High Definition) technology that can be adapted to all apparatus, from
plasma screens to notebooks or even mobile phones. 
