Peripheral Labs Uses Self-Driving Car Sensors to Immersive Sports Fan Experience
Image Credits:Peripheral Labs
Declining Live Sports Viewership Among Gen Z
Recent reports indicate that live sports viewership is witnessing a significant decline, particularly among younger audiences such as Gen Z. In response, sports leagues and broadcasters are actively exploring innovative ways to engage fans through varied viewing experiences, enhanced statistics, and detailed analyses. One of the most promising technologies being implemented to revitalize interest in sports is volumetric video generation.
What is Volumetric Video Generation?
Volumetric video generation allows users to experience live sports from multiple angles, creating an immersive viewing experience akin to playing a video game. This technology utilizes a network of cameras to capture scenes in 3D, enabling fans to view the action from various perspectives. Peripheral Labs, a Canadian startup, aims to make this cutting-edge technology accessible to smaller leagues and sports teams, thereby broadening its reach to more broadcasters and fans across the globe.
The Founders: Kelvin Cui and Mustafa Khan
Peripheral Labs was co-founded in 2024 by Kelvin Cui and Mustafa Khan, both of whom have a strong background in robotics and computer vision. The two previously worked together on autonomous driving technologies as part of the University of Toronto’s team, earning accolades for their innovations.
“My passion for sports, combined with Mustafa’s research in 3D reconstruction, sparked the idea for Peripheral Labs. I envisioned a way to experience hockey, or any sport, in a free-flowing, multi-angle format,” said Cui in a recent conversation with TechCrunch.
Advancements in Volumetric Generation Technology
While volumetric video generation is not an entirely new concept, recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision have positioned it to be viable for a larger audience. Utilizing their experience in autonomous vehicle technology, Cui and Khan adapt principles of robotics perception and 3D vision for sports video reconstruction.
One of the distinguishing features of Peripheral Labs’ approach is its ability to reduce the number of required cameras from over 100 to just 32. This advancement significantly lowers both the costs and operational overhead associated with capturing live sports footage, making it easier for smaller teams and broadcasters to adopt the technology.
Biomechanical Insights and Enhanced Viewing Control
The software platform developed by Peripheral Labs is designed to deliver not only stunning 3D visuals but also biomechanical data on players. By employing a sensor stack similar to those used in self-driving cars, the platform captures scenes with depth and detail. It offers new ways for fans and broadcasters to engage with the game; for instance, viewers can focus solely on the player with the ball or freeze specific moments to analyze different angles during critical plays or fouls.
Cui highlights how the technology goes beyond basic viewing, stating, “While we use standard cameras, our unique packaging with robotics and machine learning provides us a competitive advantage, allowing us to scale from small practice facilities to large stadiums.”
Measuring Player Performance
In addition to enhancing viewer experience, the platform’s software can track various joint movements, capturing finer details like knee and ankle flexion. This capability can be invaluable for coaches, offering insights into players’ positioning, flexibility, and overall athletic performance, ultimately aiding in their development.
Investment and Growth Plans
Peripheral Labs secured a $3.6 million seed funding round, led by Khosla Ventures, along with support from Daybreak Capital, Entrepreneurs First, and Transpose Platform. Investors are increasingly recognizing the potential of the company, despite general hesitance towards sports-related startups.
Joe Ros, a partner at Entrepreneur First, emphasized Peripheral Labs’ unique value proposition: “Their ultimate viewer is the consumer, and the demand for sports content remains steadfast. The immersive volumetric video they are pioneering could set a new standard in the industry.”
Strategic Partnerships and Market Position
The startup is selective in choosing which venture capitalists to partner with, focusing on those who can contribute to various aspects such as product development and market strategy. Currently, Peripheral Labs boasts a team of 10 engineers and plans to expand to enhance its platform and hardware offerings, with the goal of lowering costs and improving system latency.
While Peripheral Labs has not disclosed specific partners, the company is in discussions with several North American sports teams and leagues. They face competition from other startups, including Arcturus Studios, which are also exploring volumetric capture for sports.
Conclusion
As live sports viewing faces challenges, particularly among younger audiences, innovations like volumetric video generation present exciting opportunities to reinvigorate interest. With its advanced technology, Peripheral Labs is poised to reshape how fans engage with sports, providing a fresh, immersive experience that could ultimately restore the thrill of live sports.
By focusing on making this tech affordable and accessible for leagues and teams, Peripheral Labs aims to change sports viewing forever. As the technology matures and more partnerships form, the future of sports entertainment looks more dynamic than ever.
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