Technology at FIFA Qatar 2022
Cutting-Edge Information Technology
Assistive technology for visually-impaired fans
Doha-based Bonocle was founded in 2014 by Abdelrazek Aly and Ramy Soliman. With the help of assistive technology and transcoding functionality, Bonocle would help individuals with visual impairments to enjoy and experience the World Cup like everyone else. On the other hand, Feelix Palm developed by an Oxford-based company Feelix, would use tactile palm communicators to transmit braille-like messages to visually impaired fans during the matches.
FIFA Player App
FIFA has developed the FIFA Player App, based on input from professional players, in collaboration with FIFPRO, the global representative of professional footballers. The app will give each player the opportunity to access their individual player-performance data shortly after each match. For the first time, players at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ in Qatar will be able to get insights into their on-field performance through the FIFA Player App.
stadium cooling technology
Inside the bubble, players and fans will be kept at 21 Celsius (70 Fahrenheit) by jets blasting air at the pitchside and under spectators' seats. Sensors around the stadium keep the temperature constant and even adjust air flows for seats in the shade or sun.
“My PhD study focused on air conditioning in a car and we applied the same theory to our World Cup stadiums – but obviously on a much bigger scale,” said Dr. Saud.
“My PhD study focused on air conditioning in a car and we applied the same theory to our World Cup stadiums – but obviously on a much bigger scale,” said Dr. Saud.
The technology is now fitted in seven of eight Qatar 2022 stadiums, with the only exception Stadium 974, which is fully-demountable and features natural ventilation. Each of the other venue’s cooling technology is different and made to fit its unique design and features. Using solar-powered energy, outside air is cooled and then distributed through grills in the stands and large pitch-side nozzles. The systems use insulation and spot cooling to make them as environmentally-friendly as possible.
AI Rihla: The official world cup ball
>Al Rihla, which means ‘the journey’ in Arabic, is inspired by the culture, architecture, iconic boats, and the Qatar flag.
> A sensors inside the ball to detect peak game speeds.
> FIFA claimes that the ball travels faster in flight than any ball in the tournament’s history.
> Adidas’s suspension system would help to detect the kick point with extreme precision.
> The semi-automated outside technology also has an element for the detection of offside incidents for the inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor placed inside the ball.
> The ball data will be sent to the video operation room over 500 times per second, giving a rather precise detection of the kick point.
