From Cooperation to acquisition: Intel takes Replay Technologies

9 March, 2016

Replay has developed technology to capture a 3D view of a sporting events, using multiple cameras and immense computing resources. Replay's employees will join Intel Israel

Replay has developed technology to capture a 3D view of a sporting events, using multiple cameras and immense computing resources. Replay’s employees will join Intel Israel

REPLAY-CAMERA1

Intel Corporation has announced today (Wednesday) that it signed an agreement to acquire the Tel Aviv based Replay Technologies. Intel has not disclosed any financial date about the deal, but market sources said Techtime they estimates it to be in the range of $100-$200 Million.

Reply technologies developed the FreeD system for capturing sporting event using multiple cameras, producing a 3D scene that is capable of producing replay from every possible angle. In Replay’s method, multiple 5K cameras (the highest pixel per mm cameras available in the market) are placed in the stadium. A soccer match for example requires 21 such cameras.

The camera feed is gathered from the cameras in real time, producing a 3D representation of the Stadium and the Information. Using a remote control or a computer, the viewer can change his Vantage point or watch a reply of a highlight. Applications for game analyzing are currently being developed – these will enable the fan to acquire more detailed information: the distance between player and ball, the height of the jump and so on.

The control room behind NBA 3D experience. Massive computing is needed
The control room behind NBA 3D experience. Massive computing is needed

Replay Technologies CEO, Oren Yogev, said that the strategic synchronization of the two companies is a powerful combination. “The Replay team is joining Intel. This will allow us to accelerate Replay’s advanced technology plans, offer advanced services to our clients and provide increased opportunities to our employees.”

The purchase follows a long lasting cooperation between the two companies. Replay’s technology requires fast processing of immense amounts of data. During the last CES exhibition, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich announced a strategic cooperation between the two companies – Intel provided Replay powerful computers based on 6th Generation Intel Core processors.

According to Kraznich “More than ever, everything in sports is becoming digital and measurable. This will fundamentally change everything we know about the way athletes perform — and the arenas in which they compete.”

This is 360-degree view:

A month after the cooperation announcement, Intel and Replay technologies installed 28 cameras and specially optimized Intel servers to broadcast a 360-degree view of NBA All-Star Weekend game in the US. In fact the cooperation between the two companies began in 2013 when has decided to customize its servers to the needs of Replay Technologies.

Wendell Brooks, senior vice president of Intel and president of Intel Capital, revealed Intel’s plans regarding the new acquisition in the company blog: “Together, we will scale this new category for sports entertainment that we call immersive sports, which is attracting the attention of leagues, venues, broadcasters and fans.

“Immersive sports requires the high-performance computing Intel is known for, and it’s also data driven – fueling the continued build out of the cloud. As part of Intel, the team will focus on growing their existing business and advancing their technology with Intel to deliver faster freeD processing and new features like the ability to manipulate and edit personalized content.”

Share via Whatsapp

Posted in: Business , Computers , Deals and Investments , News

Other articles you might like

IBM develops a Giant 1,000-qubits Quantum Computer

Sarona Ventures Fund adds international investores to its pool

Israel Resilience Fund started first investments