Premier League to Adopt iPhone-Powered Offside Detection Technology
The Premier League is set to revolutionize its approach to detecting offside violations with the introduction of cutting-edge technology provided by Genius Sports. This innovative system, which utilizes iPhones and advanced machine-learning models, aims to assist game officials in making more accurate offside decisions.
Offside violations have long been a contentious issue in soccer, often challenging to detect due to obstructed views and the fast-paced nature of the game. While Video Assistant Referee (VAR) systems have been employed to address these challenges, they have faced criticism for causing delays and lacking precision.
Genius Sports’ Semi-Assisted Offside Technology (SAOT), part of their GeniusIQ system, creates 3D renders of players to accurately define the offside line. The system requires a significant number of cameras to function effectively, leading to the innovative use of iPhones as the primary imaging devices.
The new setup will deploy 24 to 28 iPhones, predominantly iPhone 15 Pros, around the pitch. These devices will be mounted on custom rigs, holding pairs of iPhones at different angles to ensure comprehensive coverage. This arrangement allows the system to generate between 7,000 and 10,000 data points for each player, significantly enhancing the accuracy of offside detection.
Technically, the iPhones will record at high framerates, up to 100 frames per second, with tests conducted at up to 200fps. Local computer vision processing occurs on the phones themselves, with the data then sent to an on-premise server for further processing by GeniusIQ. The system employs advanced computer vision and predictive algorithms to identify and track individual body parts of players.
This approach marks a significant advancement over existing VAR systems, which typically use fewer data points and simpler tracking methods. GeniusIQ aims to provide more detailed and accurate tracking, potentially reducing controversies surrounding offside decisions.
The Premier League is expected to fully implement this new offside detection technology before the end of the year, although an exact deployment date has not been announced. As the soccer world watches closely, the effectiveness of Genius Sports’ technology in one of the world’s most-watched leagues will be put to the test, potentially setting a new standard for officiating in professional soccer.
