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As Seen in The Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review
Fox Trax - Failure Museum

FoxTrax, also referred to as the glowing puck, was the first augmented reality system used in sports. The system used modified hockey pucks containing shock sensors and infrared emitters, which were then read by sensors and computer systems to generate on-screen graphics. It was used in Fox Sports’ telecasts of the NHL from 1996 to 1998 at a time when hockey was a low rated sport. However, viewers thought it distracted them from the game.

It was a special effect that tracked every movement of the puck, then superimposed a bluish glow around it for television viewers – all in real-time. When the puck was obscured by a player or by the near boards, the blue glow would highlight where it was. When the puck was passed, a blue comet tail followed it. Most noticeably, when the puck was shot hard, it was followed by a bright red streak, and viewers could easily see the path of the puck if it was deflected or redirected. 

Picture of Sean Jacobsohn

Sean Jacobsohn

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