Essentially Rubber – Smart rugby ball

Leading-edge designs and applications showing how elastomer materials contribute to all aspects of life and lifestyle in the 21st century:

Rugby ball maker Gilbert has introduced a smart technology, which could transform match refereeing in the sport. The Gilbert Smart Ball can help match officials quickly decide if a ball has been: passed forward; touched down over the try-line; touched in flight; or thrown in straight at a lineout. The smart ball is tracked in 3D and real-time with beacons positioned around the pitch to determine the exact position of the ball up to 20 times per second and provide immediate feedback on every kick, pass and throw. Being trialled at the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa in June, the smart ball is the result of a collaboration between UK-based Gilbert and Sportable.