QATAR: The Official Match Ball used at this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar features a new ‘connected ball technology’ to enhance the video assistant referee (VAR) system and provide an unprecedented level of data and information to match officials, allowing them to make faster and more accurate decisions during games.
According to adidas, the manufacturers of the official ‘Al Rihla’ footballs, named after the Arabic word for ‘the journey,’ this is the first time in the history of the World Cup that this kind of innovative ball technology is being used.
“Combined with player position data and by applying artificial intelligence, the innovative connected ball technology contributes to FIFA’s semi-automated offside technology and offers Video Assistant Referees instantaneous information to help optimize decision making,” adidas stated.
The high-tech ball features an ‘adidas Suspension System’ in its center, which hosts and stabilizes a 500Hz inertial measurement unit (IMU) motion sensor that is able to provide unprecedented insight into every element of its movement while making this technology unnoticeable for players and not affecting performance.
The sensor is powered by a rechargeable battery, which can be charged by induction. A picture of the ‘Al Rihla’ balls being charged like smartphones recently went viral on social media during the World Cup.
Adidas states the connected ball technology was developed in close collaboration with FIFA and leading state-of-the-art sensor network and edge computing company, KINEXON.
For the first time in World Cup history, Video Match Officials can review live data by automatically providing very accurate information, 500 times per second, when a player touches the ball.
This technology is especially expected to help inform offside situations and assist in detecting unclear touches, thereby ultimately improving the quality and speed of the VAR decision-making process.
Adidas clarifies that this new technology has been rigorously and robustly tested with a number of professional and grassroots football clubs around the world – including blind testing – namely at the FIFA Arab Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup 2021 in Abu Dhabi, with no perceived change to performance detected.
