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| Photo Credit: hdwallphotos.com |
Who is excited for the World Cup to kick-off!? This
afternoon (1:00 pm PST) Brazil will be facing off against Croatia in the first
match-up of World Cup 2014: Brazil!
This World Cup is going to be much different than the previous
years, though. People are referring to it as the first ‘digital World Cup’ impart
because of the the emphasis on smartphone applications and fan connectivity via
social media. Twitter is going to be a sort of ‘ESPN zone’ for your phone; fans
can stay updated with their favorite teams and share with others their own thoughts
using ‘hashflags’ (tweeting using the three letter code for their country, i.e.
#ITA). “The popularity of smartphones will make this year’s World Cup the most
connected and interactive tournament ever” (Source: Why
World Cup 2014 will be the Most High-Tech Tournament Yet).
Looks like wearable devices are making an appearance this
year as well; FIFA is introducing goal line technology. Now, multiple cameras
will be mounted on the goal and once the ball crosses the line, a notification
will go out to wrist watches the referees will be wearing indicating ‘GOAL.’ This
technology will be particularly useful for referees to determine if the ball
passed the line in unclear situations.
Even the soccer balls are getting updated with cutting
edge technology and aerodynamic designs. During training, various countries
used a ‘smart ball’ equipped with sensors inside the ball to detect speed,
spin, strike, and flight trajectory, as well as determining impact points for
penalties and corners. Utilizing this technology gives insight into specific
data that can help teach players how to improve their game (Source: http://micoach.adidas.com/us/smartball).
Check out how much the official World Cup soccer ball design has changed over
time.
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| Photo Credit: fastcompany.com |
These were just a few of the technology highlights that
will make their way to World Cup 2014. More tech advancements include security
robots, foam spray to draw temporary lines, futuristic soccer cleats, World
Cup Instagram profile, different ways to stay cool in the hot weather
conditions, and more. With all these new technologies and innovations, how do
you think this will impact the games?
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