It is said that to err is human, and to forgive, divine. However, one must say that computers do not make mistakes – any mistakes, but it will come out with errors if the wrong information is fed into the system. This is the idea behind the decision made by San Rafael Pacifics when it comes to using a “robotic umpire” when it comes to calling strikes and balls.
This particular robot is known as the Pitchf/x, and such a robot does not come with any kind of humanoid features. Such technology will be made up of three cameras that are scattered high above the field, where the cameras will then triangulate the ball’s location the moment it is thrown. Any pitch results will then be sent over to a computer screen, and former Oakland A’s player who is now an analyst, Eric Byrnes, will make the call announcement via the stadium’s loudspeakers.
Does a robotic umpire do away with the need for human umpires? Right now, this does not look like the situation, but rather, it looks as though there will be another umpire who will be part of the game. Good thing this is one umpire who cannot be bought or have his integrity compromised! I would suppose this is somewhat in the same vein as that of HawkEye technology used in tennis, and if anyone’s job were to be in peril because of robots, it would be hotel receptionists in Japan.
Filed in . Read more about Sports. Source: washingtonpost