Sony Professional has acquired Hawk-Eye, a UK-based company that specialises in sports tracking technology, for an undisclosed figure.
Hawk-Eye is particularly famous for the role it plays each year at all four tennis Grand Slam tournaments. It is also used in cricket, snooker and coaching and is being tested by the GAA in Ireland.
Hawk-Eye is also developing a system for soccer goal line technology.
Vice-president of Sony Europe, Naomi Climer, said Hawk-Eye has developed a worldwide reputation for “resolving close calls in critical sporting situations”.
“Players, officials and sports fans have all appreciated the accurate and entertaining way in which Hawk-Eye has integrated its technology into these key sports,” she added.
“Hawk-Eye presents Sony with the opportunity to acquire a small, innovative company with unique knowledge and excellent growth and synergies potential.”
Founder and inventor of Hawk-Eye, Paul Hawkins, said coupling with Sony will create “immense opportunities for the sports industry”.
In a statement today, both companies revealed the acquisition is effective today and will include all intellectual properties rights, Hawk-Eye’s full-time staff, as well as its technology, software solutions and engineering capabilities. Hawk-Eye will become an integral part of Sony Professional, a division of Sony Europe Ltd.
Meanwhile, Sony has confirmed the finals of Wimbledon will be filmed in 3D this year and screened live across the globe.
The games will be screened live in high-definition 3D to 3D-capable cinemas around the world. The live 3D production, in partnership with the Wimbledon host broadcaster the BBC, will also be offered to interested global broadcasters.
Article courtesy of Businessandleadership.com
