AirPixel’s cutting-edge UWB camera tracking technology was recently showcased during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four in April 2022, where it enabled live Augmented Reality graphics on the TV broadcast.
AirPixel’s advanced UWB camera tracking system played a key role in delivering immersive augmented reality (AR) graphics during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four in April 2022. The broadcast, viewed by millions, featured dynamic virtual billboards and team logos floating above the court – generated and displayed live during game breaks.
When WarnerMedia (Turner Sports) wanted to add non-static AR content to the SkyCam footage, they turned to AirPixel to track the camera flying over a 300 x 300 ft area inside the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. Despite the scale, only 14 AirPixel UWB beacons were installed throughout the stadium. A single AirPixel receiver was mounted to the underside of the SkyCam rig.
To achieve full broadcast integration, the FIZ (Focus, Iris, Zoom) data was captured by AirPixel from the Fujinon lens attached to a Sony camera. This data, combined with precise position and orientation tracking, was transmitted in real time to the Pixotope engine, which rendered the AR elements live on screen.
As the SkyCam moved, Pixotope dynamically updated the large-scale visuals – such as oversized team banners and advertising boards – based on the real-time feed.
This project demonstrates the strength of AirPixel’s tracking in complex, large-scale environments like stadiums and concert venues. With a compact setup and seamless integration into real-time engines, AirPixel enables broadcasters to deliver visually striking, live AR content with efficiency and precision.
Virtual billboards showing the teams logo
Composite image with virtual elements and raw camera feed side-by-side
Skycam being tracked by AirPixel flying above the playing field
AirPixel receiver mounted on the bottom of the SkyCam
AirPixel
Turner Sports
