Leading amateur sports video and analysis platform Hudl has introduced a new smart camera that automatically records games and tracks the flow of action.
The Hudl Focus uses a four-lens camera and can record even when not connected to a network. The machine can differentiate between fans and players and types of sports, turning on whenever scheduled to eliminate the need for manual control. The camera pans and zooms on its own while uploading clips to the appropriate player or coach account.
“We often ask, ‘does this team have Hudl?’ What if we can change the question to ‘does this gym have Hudl?’ and level up all our teams where it all starts: with consistent, high-quality video,” Hudl designer Josef Lang said in a story on Hudl’s website. “Let’s make it happen automatically. While we’re at it, let’s make it affordable. It’s been a massive effort on an incredibly condensed timeline, but our coaches’ and teams’ responses to the product have made it all worth it.”
Hudl Focus has been made available for beta testing at 250 high school gyms for volleyball and basketball. Hudl also works with thousands of professional teams (including clubs in NBA, MLS, NHL, and English Premier League) and has partnered with such organizations and companies as U.S. Soccer, Nike, and current fourth-tier English soccer club Lincoln City.
SportTechie Takeaway
There’s an increasing demand for video of high school athletics, whether for player recruiting, opposition scouting, or memory saving. Automating the process in HD quality provides welcome efficiency without having to rely on non-expert volunteers.