NBC
OLYMPICS
2022
CHANGING THE GAME
SMT serves the sports industry with innovative, award-winning technology for events, broadcasts and livestreams with a focus on real-time data collection, integration and visualization. With more than three decades of developing best-in-class solutions, SMT is an unsurpassed leader in sports technology.
37
YEARS
60
SPORTS
70
PATENTS
20K
ANNUAL EVENTS
220
CLIENTS
36
EMMY AWARDS
CULTURE
OF INNOVATION
INDUSTRY
RECOGNITION
We are honored to have been awarded 36 Emmys over the past two decades on behalf of our work with our stellar roster of clients, including three in 2021 for our contributions to:
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Outstanding Playoff Coverage: NFC Wild Card Game | Nickelodeon (CBS Sports)
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Outstanding Live Sports Series: Sunday Night Football | NBC
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Outstanding Technical Team Event: Super Bowl LV | CBS
CLIENTS
AND PARTNERS
Over 200 clients entrust us with their most valuable assets: their fans.
LIVE SPORTS ON-SITE AND
BROADCAST ENHANCEMENTS
SMT provides its sports clients with effective on-site and broadcast data visualization and storytelling tools. Below is an overview and brief description of our most prominent products and services and recent innovations.
PLAYER AND
BALL TRACKING
HALO
HALO (Hybrid Approach for Locating Objects) is SMT’s robust, real-time, object-tracking technology that combines multiple tracking inputs to precisely derive an object’s location. Input from a physical, tag-based (RF and/or IR) tracking system is combined with input from an optical-based tracking system to determine the exact object location at every moment. Furthermore, orientation and/or limb-tracking systems are also integrated (when available) to paint a complete picture of the object’s location, movement and behavior in real time.
From NASCAR to the NFL, SMT’s tracking technologies help tell stories through data visualizations via the four key forms of sports tracking technology.
OPTICAL
SMT assists Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball and the PGA Tour with our optical tracking technology. We use computer vision to track baseballs and golf balls to within a pixel or better accuracy. SMT has tracked over 10 million pitches in baseball as well as all of the approach shots for every PGA Tour event. For NFL broadcasts, SMT’s CameraTracker provides an optical data tracking system on an aerial broadcast camera to insert live 3D virtual graphics onto the playing field.
GPS
SMT captures a plethora of GPS-generated information for motorsports, including telemetry data (speed, throttle, brakes, gears, and RPM), positioning data and camera data. The data is used to create a real-time digital record of the race that is dispersed to various systems that feed on-air graphics.
Infrared
SMT’s Puck and Player Tracking technology for the NHL is based on infrared technology. We place sensors in the back collar of the player uniforms as well as sensors inside the puck to track accurately within an inch.
UWB/RFID
The Professional Fighters League uses our Ultra-Wide Band/RFID technology to help determine punch speeds of their fighters which is then visualized throughout the fight as graphical insertions to help augment the broadcaster's storytelling efforts.
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TELEMETRY
AND BIOMETRICS
Telemetry and biometric insights can reveal behind-the-scenes data points that help commentators and producers analyze and explain performances.
TELEMETRY
SMT’s RACEf/x platform uses GPS satellites to gather telemetry and positioning data under extreme circumstances, creating a real-time digital record of a race. With every completed lap, telemetry data (such as speed, throttle, brake, gears, G-force, RPM, etc.) is obtained from onboard computers and integrated into a fully rendered, 3D virtual representation of the race, creating a unique analysis tool available to every car, enabling drivers to compare performances against any opponent.
BIOMETRICS
SMT implements WHOOP Live! data integration across a variety of sporting events. From select PGA Tour events to motorsports including NASCAR and SRX Racing Experience to endurance events such as the CrossFit Games, SMT integrates WHOOP data into real-time biometric graphics, revealing the adrenaline rushes behind the calm demeanors of select athletes. Commentators delight in parsing every heartbeat in an effort to analyze golf's greatest golfers, racing's fastest drivers and the world's fittest athletes.
COMMENTATOR
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
SMT’s commentator support systems offer an array of current and historical data, statistical and real-time information, including injury reports, strategy reports, and other pertinent data — everything an announcer needs to provide complete, real-time game and player analysis.
SMT’s information systems manage player databases, scoring formats, draw entry, game schedules and status, data distribution and administrative reports. This information can be fed through CCTV systems to video displays, touch screens and prompters.
Commentator Information Systems
Interactive Touchscreens
Talent-Operated Touchscreens
Telestrators and Analytics Tools
Commentator Information Systems (CIS)
VIRTUAL
INSERTIONS
Since 2003, SMT has offered clients the opportunity to sell virtual ad space in uniquely flexible spaces, including on fields of play, ice rinks, tennis courts, buildings and in virtual studios.
SMT’s V-FAB (Virtual Fans, Ads, and Brands) technology provides sponsors and advertisers with virtual graphics than can be targeted on a per-market basis for national and international broadcasts. SMT's realistic overlay technology provides sponsors with an unmatched opportunity to bring branding messages directly to their target audience without distraction or competing image clutter.
Clients who have benefitted from this solution included:
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MLS is Back Tournament
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Fox Sports’ MLB broadcasts
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NTT IndyCar Series
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NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and Finals
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Roland Garros
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Women’s Tennis Association
BROADCAST
ANALYTICS
SMT's Broadcast Analytics tool—with its popular GhostCar feature—integrates data and telemetry to virtually highlight replays, allowing commentators to analyze drivers and present fans with a compelling and captivating look into what it takes to turn the fastest lap.
Graphics design services for GhostCar include customized mixed-reality visualizations of tracking system data (a combination of GPS location data, timing and scoring data and engine control unit data) in a 3D virtual environment in which virtual cars are overlaid on broadcast video.
During live sessions, the GhostCar application ingests RACEf/x tracking data, and, through an easy-to-navigate user interface, allows producers to cue up laps to compare performances from compelling vantage points not available through broadcast cameras.
Broadcast Analytics featuring GhostCar gives fans and commentators new and unlimited visualization possibilities, allowing them to:
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Compare driving lines between rivals;
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Compare live performances of “hot” lap vs. current pole sitter in qualifying;
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Show time gained or lost when cars take green flag pit stops;
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Freeze the field at the time of caution to show running position at last loop crossed;
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Compare drivers' qualifying laps; and
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Compare a car’s performance on old tires vs. new tires.
DIGITAL
IMPLEMENTATION
SMT’s Web Services team builds digital scoring frames for major sports organizations.
RaceView
EDGE
Digital Solutions - US Open Website
Digital Solutions - US Open Website
Homepage Mock with Live Score
Mubadala Scoring Widget
REMOTE PRODUCTION
AND OPERATIONS
With SMT’s mobile production vans and remote production studios, SMT services are flexible and configurable to handle delivery from any location.
Since 2020, our ROOSTER (Remote Optics Operator Staffing & Technology for Eliminating Risk) studios, located at our three U.S.-based divisions, have played a crucial role in broadcasts, providing virtual ads insertions for Roland Garros; detailed match statistics and serve speed services for U.S. Open; as well as remote scoring and scheduling for WTA and ATP events. SMT has also delivered remote broadcast services for other international events, such as Roland-Garros, the Tour de France, the Olympics, and every NHL game.
SMT’s mobile production vans deliver our product and service suite with a minimal onsite footprint, reducing the need for our technicians and equipment to be housed in production trucks. Our mobile production vans offer the flexibility of a control room that can be configured for any sport.
Production Van
ROOSTER
ROOSTER System Overview
Events operated solely or in part from ROOSTER studios include:
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U.S. Open Tennis Championships
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Tour de France
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Roland Garros
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Professional Fighters League
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Triple Crown of horse racing
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Rogue Invitational
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National Hockey League
BROADCAST
CAPABILITIES
HIGHLIGHT
REEL