| Hawkeye is a sport technology device whose | | | | the ball pitched and where it hit the batsman. The |
| concept was derived from missile-tracking technology. | | | | predictive element of Hawkeye is not yet officially |
| Its purpose is to track the position and trajectory of | | | | used because of lingering doubts about its accuracy. |
| an object- typically a ball. Hawkeye made its debut in | | | | However, some cricket pundits believe that umpires |
| 2001 through cricket (as SkyScope) and it is no | | | | have become more confident with LBW decisions on |
| surprise that cricket TV broadcasters used it | | | | the field of play because they witness how |
| extensively since. Although the International Cricket | | | | Hawkeye's predictive element works. |
| Council does not officially sanction its full use, the | | | | Before Hawkeye was used for officiating in cricket, it |
| way the device operates allows it to work for | | | | was (and sill is) an essential part of cricket coverage |
| cricket in several important ways. | | | | on television. Primarily a tool to shed light on LBW |
| How the Hawkeye works in cricket is a function of | | | | decisions for TV viewers, Hawkeye determines |
| conceptual and external levels. At the conceptual | | | | whether the ball pitched outside leg stump or in line |
| level, Hawkeye is a complex and unique tool that | | | | with the stumps and whether it would continue onto |
| uses cameras, image analysis software and a | | | | the stumps. Hawkeye also facilitates other |
| parametric model to track a delivery and predict its | | | | innovations like: |
| path. In cricket, Hawkeye uses six fixed and | | | | DeSpin: Shows how far the ball deviated after it |
| calibrated camera positions to assist the image | | | | pitched |
| analysis process and radar technology. The | | | | Wagon wheels: Gives a 3D picture of a batter's |
| broadcaster must position six cameras around the | | | | scoring shots |
| cricket field- three on each side of the field that | | | | Pitch Maps: Show the areas where multiple deliveries |
| almost mirror each other. | | | | hit the pitch |
| These multiple angles and images produce a | | | | Beehives: These demonstrate where the ball has |
| three-dimensional grid that is fed into an image | | | | reached the batter or where it would have passed |
| processing system. The image processing software | | | | the batsman. The Beehives even highlight scoring |
| captures the actual path of the delivery. Hawkeye is | | | | deliveries for batters. |
| able to track the ball from the point of release from | | | | Rail Cam: Shows differences in speed, bounce and |
| the bowler to the point at which the ball is in line with | | | | trajectory of different deliveries |
| the stumps. Further prediction is achieved through | | | | Hawkeye can also produce ball speeds and determine |
| use of a parametric model. The output is where the | | | | reaction time through use of radar technology. With |
| ball pitched and the direction in which it is headed. | | | | coaching, innovations like pitch maps and wagon |
| Hawkeye developers claim its accuracy to be "within | | | | wheels are essential for player analyses that highlight |
| 5mm." Cricket commentators and Hawkeye | | | | a player's strengths and weaknesses. |
| detractors believe that it is higher- around one inch. | | | | Hawkeye in cricket is a great innovation that has |
| At the external level, Hawkeye works in cricket by | | | | helped officiating, enhanced television feeds for |
| facilitating enhanced television, officiating and | | | | viewers and assisted coaches with technical analyses |
| coaching. The ICC has not officially sanctioned full use | | | | of players. Hawkeye technology has already earned |
| of Hawkeye in determining LBW (leg before wicket) | | | | the respect of cricket fans because of how it works |
| decisions. However, with the TV referral system, | | | | and what it produces. It is beginning to have an |
| Hawkeye plays an important role in informing the | | | | influential role in how the game is officiated, covered |
| third umpire (the only official with access to it) where | | | | and coached. |