FIFA has allowed an AI data tracker to be used in official matches
(Image credit: Playermaker)
An AI wearable technology for football boots has been approved by FIFA for use in official matches, revolutionising the way players can track their technical and physical performance data.
The technology, created by Playermaker in 2019, will become the first lower-limb tracking device to be worn in football games. It straps to the football boots of players, providing data such as technical balance, kicking velocities, speed, distance, acceleration, change of directions and time on the ball.
This enables players and coaches to track unique skills during training sessions and matches, data which Playermaker hope will help improve performance by highlighting areas of improvement.
Playermaker products strap around football boots (Image credit: Playermaker)
FIFA and football lawmakers IFAB (International Football Association Board) have both approved the technology to be worn in official matches, with Playermaker already holding partnerships with over 200 professional clubs.
Premier League sides Manchester City and Fulham are both involved with the AI data tracker, with clubs across the world also utilising the company's expertise.
Upon awarding it use in matches, FIFA described Playermaker's technology as a useful piece of technology accessible across a wide range of football, with both the technical and physical data seen as extremely helpful.
“Unlike back-mounted wearables, this product enables further-reaching insights into performance and medical disciplines due to the position on the boot generating data on the lower limbs," FIFA stated.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Data has become increasingly prominent within football (Image credit: Opta)
"It shows promise to being a cost-efficient alternative for individual and team data collection and in simplifying analysis, thus contributing to making tracking technologies available across more levels of football.”
Playermaker are clearly excited about the prospect of a wearable AI data tracker, too.
”Five years ago, we made a bold bet to place sensors on the foot, driven by our unwavering belief that we could deliver unprecedented data and insights previously unimaginable," Playermaker CEO and Co-Founder Guy Aharon said.
"Despite the skeptics who labeled us as crazy, doubting anyone would embrace sensors on their football boots, we persevered. Now, just a few years later FIFA has acknowledged the safety, precision, and undeniable future potential of footwear sensors in revolutionizing the game for all.”
Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.
