The project5VREAL(5G Volley Reality Experience & Analytics Live), created by the Free University of Bolzano and partners such as Vodafone Italia, aims to make volleyball even more interesting and accessible to fans using new technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and video analysis. One of Italy's leading volleyball websites reported on this revolutionary innovation.
What does 5VREAL mean?
The idea is to use cameras – even regular smartphones – to capture volleyball matches in real-time. Then, special AI algorithms process the video to provide information such as:
The position of the ballon the court,
Its speed and trajectory,
The time between players' touches.
These analyses are performed extremely quickly thanks to the 5G network and powerful computer systems that operate directly near the event location.
What's special?
For technical teams:
They can see accurate data and analyses immediately, without waiting for lengthy manual processing.
For the fans:
TV broadcasts will become more exciting, with added graphics and interesting details about the game.
No need for expensive equipment:
Even with regular cameras, video quality is automatically enhanced by AI.
How does this help volleyball?
The technology allows both coaches and fans to understand the game better. Analyses are more precise, which can help improve team play and strategies. Furthermore, watching matches becomes more interactive and enjoyable for the audience.
The project was demonstrated at a special event featuring the Trentino Volley women's volleyball team, showing how these technologies can change the way we experience sports.
