The NFL has joined with Zebra Technologies to launch MotionWorks RFID sensors, which will be placed in the shoulder pads of all the players. “The sensors will each emit unique radio frequencies that will be captured by the 20 receivers that have been put in all the stadiums that are used by the NFL,” according to the Tech Times.
Through these sensors, data about the players such as field position, distance traveled, speed and acceleration can be tracked. The NFL is arranging to use the data from the RFID sensors to power the NFL 2015 app for Windows 10 and the Xbox One.
“The data will allow for features such as ‘Next Gen Replay,’ which will give fans the ability to look into the statistics of players that are included in highlight clips that are seen in the app,” Tech Times said.
The sensors were tested in 2014 with 2,000 players wearing the RFID sensors and 18 of the 31 NFL stadiums having receivers installed. “Over the season, 17,000 plays were measured with NextGen Stats, with over 1.7 billion sets of X-Y player coordinates being measured, sent and stored over the course of games,” according to Tech Times.
The data is not yet available during games for the players and coaches, but it is available for evaluations after each game.
