
Badminton is a fast-paced sport that often requires officials to make quick decisions. The margin for error is slim, and human error is inevitable. To assist officials in making the right calls, Hawk-Eye technology was introduced to the sport in 2014. The system, which uses multiple high-speed cameras to track the shuttlecock from different angles, has been implemented to provide instant replays and help determine whether a shuttlecock is in or out, whether it touched the net, and whether a service was correct.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use in Badminton | Used to help officials determine whether a shuttlecock is in or out, whether a service is correct, and to provide shuttlecock speed and other insights. |
| Technology | Uses 8 to 10 high-speed cameras to capture images from different angles, which are then triangulated to create a 3D representation of the shuttlecock's trajectory. |
| Accuracy | Advertised to be accurate to within 2.6 millimetres, with a statistical margin of error of 3.6 millimetres. |
| Criticisms | Some have questioned the system's margin of error as too large, while others have noted that human intervention can affect the results. |
| Cost | High hardware cost makes it difficult to implement in amateur badminton matches. |
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What You'll Learn

Badminton World Federation (BWF) adoption
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has long used Instant Review Systems (IRS) to clear confusion on the court. The BWF experimented with other IRS technologies before adopting Hawk-Eye, which was introduced to badminton courts as recently as 2014.
Hawk-Eye is a computer vision system that visually tracks the trajectory of a ball and displays a profile of its statistically most likely path as a moving image. It was originally implemented in 2000 for television purposes in cricket. The system works by using triangulation to combine and process video from multiple high-performance cameras located at different locations and angles around the area of play.
In badminton, Hawk-Eye is used to help officials determine whether a shuttlecock is in or out, whether it touched the net, and to confirm a bad service. The shuttlecock's base, rather than its feathered area, must be struck by the racket during a correct service. It is not always possible for a service judge to see which part of the shuttlecock was hit first, so Hawk-Eye can provide valuable confirmation in this situation.
The BWF chose Hawk-Eye for its instant review system due to the system's precision and accuracy. Hawk-Eye improves badminton by helping officials confirm their line calls, adding a layer of accuracy and credibility to their decisions. With instant replays readily available, lets can also be shorter following a challenge to a call.
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How Hawk-Eye works
The Hawk-Eye system was developed in the United Kingdom by Paul Hawkins and was first implemented in 2000 for television purposes in cricket. It is a computer vision system that visually tracks the trajectory of a ball and displays a profile of its statistically most likely path as a moving image. The system works by using triangulation with up to ten high-performance cameras, usually positioned on the underside of the stadium roof, to track the ball from different angles. The video from the cameras is then combined to create a three-dimensional representation of the ball's trajectory.
In badminton, the Hawk-Eye system uses high-precision cameras to help officials determine whether a shuttlecock is in or out, whether it touched the net, and to provide shuttlecock speed and other insights. For example, Hawk-Eye can be used to confirm a bad service by determining which part of the shuttlecock was hit by the racket.
The Hawk-Eye system is also used in tennis, where it has been named Electronic Line Calling (ELC). It can track player indents, virtual reality statistics, player tracking, and post-match analysis. In football, Hawk-Eye is used as a means of goal-line technology, helping to determine whether the ball has crossed the goal line.
While Hawk-Eye has been praised for its accuracy and ability to enhance the viewing experience for fans, it has also faced criticism. Some have questioned the system's margin of error, while others have claimed that the computer-generated images of the ball's impact are distorted and do not accurately represent the true shape of the ball.
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Shuttlecock tracking
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) introduced Hawk-Eye technology in 2014 after testing other instant review technologies for line call decisions in major events. The system uses tracking cameras to provide shuttlecock speed and other insights in badminton matches.
Hawk-Eye is a computer vision system that visually tracks the trajectory of a ball and displays a profile of its statistically most likely path as a moving image. It is used in more than 20 major sports, including badminton, and was originally implemented in 2000 for television purposes in cricket. The system works by using up to ten high-performance cameras positioned at different locations and angles around the area of play, normally on the underside of the stadium roof, to track the ball from different angles. The video from the cameras is then triangulated and combined to create a three-dimensional representation of the ball's trajectory.
In badminton, Hawk-Eye is used to help officials determine whether a shuttlecock is in or out, whether it touched the net, and to confirm bad services. For example, according to 9.1.5 of the BWF's service rules, a correct service is one where the racket strikes the base of the shuttlecock, not the feathered area. It's not always possible for a service judge to see which part of the shuttlecock was hit first, so Hawk-Eye can help confirm this.
While Hawk-Eye has been embraced by many, it has also received some criticism due to its margin of error. In the 2007 Wimbledon Championships, a shot that appeared to be out was called in by Hawk-Eye by 1 mm, which is smaller than the advertised mean error of 3.6 mm. Some commentators criticised this margin of error as too large, while others noted that it is only for the witnessed trajectory of the ball.
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Accuracy and limitations
The Hawk-Eye system, owned by Sony, was developed in the United Kingdom by Paul Hawkins and David Sherry. It was first used in 2000 for television purposes in cricket. The system is based on triangulation, using up to ten high-performance cameras to track the ball from different angles. The video from the cameras is then triangulated and combined to create a three-dimensional representation of the ball's trajectory.
Hawk-Eye is advertised to be accurate to within 2.6 millimetres and is used as an impartial review in sports. However, it is not infallible and has received criticism from some commentators who argue that the system's 3.6 mm statistical margin of error is too large. In the 2007 Wimbledon Championships, a shot that appeared to be out was called in by Hawk-Eye by 1 mm, a distance smaller than the advertised mean error.
In badminton, Hawk-Eye is used to help officials determine whether a shuttlecock is in or out, whether it touched the net, and to provide shuttlecock speed and other insights. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) introduced Hawk-Eye technology in 2014 after testing other instant review technologies. The BWF chose Hawk-Eye for its tournaments due to the system's precision and accuracy.
While Hawk-Eye has its limitations and is not 100% accurate, it has been generally embraced and is used in more than 20 major sports, including cricket, tennis, badminton, and association football. It provides valuable assistance to officials in making difficult calls and has been accepted by governing bodies as a means of adjudication.
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Use in other sports
Hawk-Eye is used in more than 20 major sports, including cricket, tennis, badminton, and football. It was first used in 2000 for television purposes in cricket. In cricket, Hawk-Eye works by using six high-speed cameras placed on the stadium roof to triangulate the position of the ball in its flight.
In tennis, Hawk-Eye has been used for the Challenge System since 2006, with five cameras at each end triangulated to give a 3D location of the ball. The 2021 Australian Open was the first Grand Slam tournament to use Hawk-Eye Live for all matches in place of line judges.
In football, Hawk-Eye is used as goal-line technology, tracking the ball and informing the referee if it has fully crossed the goal line. It was first trialled in football prior to the 2012 change to the Laws of the Game that made goal-line technology a permanent part of the game. It has since been used in various competitions, including the Premier League, Serie A, and Bundesliga.
Hawk-Eye has also been used in other sports such as rugby, basketball, and the NFL. In rugby, it helps television match officials make accurate and fair decisions using video replays, while in the NFL, it is used for multi-angle reviews to enhance replay accuracy and decision-making speed.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Hawk-Eye technology is used in badminton.
Hawk-Eye technology was introduced to badminton in 2014.
Hawk-Eye uses multiple high-speed cameras to capture images of the shuttlecock from different angles. The system then triangulates the footage to create a three-dimensional representation of the shuttlecock's trajectory.
Hawk-Eye is used in badminton to help officials make tough calls, such as determining whether a shuttlecock landed in or out, whether it touched the net, or whether a service was good.
Hawk-Eye is generally considered to be trustworthy, with a margin of error of around 2.6 to 3.6 mm. However, there have been instances of misjudgement and it has been noted that the technology can be manipulated by humans.


















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