NHL Hockey Rink 2.0
I’ve already designed seats that make way for a Zamboni, and a goal replay camera that is buried under the ice in net. What else would an NHL Rink need? Better sight lines for fans at the rink and watching from home.
First up, I made all the boards near the camera see-through using Plexiglas. That way you can see the puck carrier should he skate along the near boards.
What about the adverts that line the side boards? They would still remain, using a printing technology that is one-way and would ensure the continued use of advertising (team owners can breathe a sigh of relief):
These see-through boards could be applied to all the boards that encircle the ice, which would benefit fans all over the rink.
Next up I sink the goal judges down so their eye level is roughly a few feet above the ice surface. The judges would sit in a ‘nest’, and use the transparent boards to monitor the net. This would free up some more seats. It is my opinion that these judges are antiquated due to camera replays and multiple officials on the ice. Someone from high up above in the arena could trigger the goal light.
I’d also make the penalty boxes more trapezoid in shape, to better align with the camera view and make better use of the clear boards. This might open up a few seats more too.
Of course to top off this new rink configuration, my LED puck could also be used:
You don’t agree? :p
Posted on July 9, 2010, in Hockey, Robots and tagged Hockey, Sports, Technology. Bookmark the permalink. 6 Comments.
Fox already tried a glowing puck. Failed experiment.
That was using augmented reality. This would be an actual prop.
And actually it wasn’t a failed experiment. Fox would have continued using it if the hockey broadcast rights didn’t go to another network.
Kinda old, but yeah, really great ideas- i also saw the Zamboni entrance and the “under ice” cam, smart thinking. BUT, I’ve always said, if they only put a small chip vertically inside the dead center of the puck, and censors on the posts, then there would be no need for ANY reviews/goal judges etc. Once the chip (inside the puck) crosses the censors, it gives a signal and the horn is automatically blown- even if someone still swiped it out quickly without the refs seeing- its still in.
its not nano-tech, just a regular thumbnail size chip in the center would seen good.
that paired up with the LED puck would reeaalllyy make hockey more exciting AND fair at the same time.
People have often said a RFID chip could do the job (and I have talked to a few people about this). The problem lies in creating a fool-proof plane for the chip to cross. If the puck goes just wide of the net or hits the post, it could set off the goal detection. One friend argued if the puck travelled too fast, the sensors could miss it, much like swiping a barcode item too quickly at the grocery checkout. Even I sometimes wonder if the goalie will interfere with censor detection - they like to park their butts in the net.
It’s tough, but there is an electronic solution - there has to be!
And thanks for commenting on an “older” idea. I encourage it whenever possible, because these ideas don’t really expire. There is a general thinking that blog posts stay relevant for a short period, but here the content is evergreen for the most part.
This would never work, even without all the technical errors. For a goal to be awarded, the puck has to completely cross the line, not just the middle. I think they’re doing just fine with the replay technology and cameras in the net.
What are you talking about exactly?