Virtual Reality Is Coming To Rugby
Accenture, a global company that provides digital and technological consultation, has been a partner of The RBS 6 Nations since 2011 and have released virtual reality proof of concept.
The blueprints demonstrate a virtual experience that allow users to sample the environment of rugby stadiums. The technology would also present visualisations of match statistics, trends and data – for fans to engage with the analysis.
The concept uses beta virtual reality headsets and development kits to take users out into the behind-the-scenes action, combining the head-gear with scanned images of the stadiums to recreate them.
It’s been great to welcome a few of the @rbs_6_nations captains to our Virtual Reality and Data Hub experience. pic.twitter.com/rqXIXMWZTV
— Accenture Rugby (@AccentureRugby) January 27, 2016
Starting in the locker room, fans can explore the facilities and interact with various items, before heading out to the player tunnel.
After walking through the tunnel, fans will be greeted by ex-England international and World Cup winner in 2003, Ben Kay. As part of Accenture’s analytical team, Kay will make use of the match visualisations to explain his thoughts and expertise.
“Seeing myself inside a virtual stadium standing next to an enormous image of rugby stats was quite something,” said Ben Kay, Rugby World Cup winner and member of the Accenture analysis team for the RBS 6 Nations Rugby Championship.
“This technology is so new that it’s incredible to think we’re probably just scratching the surface of how we can change the way fans experience rugby. By offering not just the footage of a game but so much additional information on top of it, fans are going to be able to see beyond each individual sequence of action or a player’s performance over the course of a game. That kind of engagement hasn’t been possible before, and it’s exciting to think that through virtual reality, fans could literally be right in the middle of it.”
Accenture is the official technology partner for the RBS 6 Nations for the fifth consecutive year and is using in-house data experts and analytics tools.
The article originally appeared here.
