A collaboration between
leading sports analysis business Animation Research Ltd and
the Otago Polytechnic is aiming to put Dunedin at the
international forefront of the rapidly developing industry.
Animation Research managing director Ian Taylor has long held
ambitious plans to turn the city into the world's leading
sports analysis centre by making use the almost completed
Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Mr Taylor, speaking from London yesterday, said he wanted to
consolidate expertise in the sports analysis industry in New
Zealand and the stadium would make a "perfect laboratory" for
students interested in research and design projects.
Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker told members at a
campus council meeting yesterday the fledgling sports
analysis industry provided a "great field of opportunities"
for the tertiary institute.
The polytech's applied research and design department had
collaborated with Animation Research on a $200,000 project
for a commercial client recently, which was an "encouraging
start".
The polytech wants to incorporate more software and IT
training opportunities alongside Animation Research to create
collaborative pathways into the sports analysis industry, Mr
Ker said.
There was a broad potential to involve different departments,
such as the sports institute, and create Polytech courses
around the developing technology, Mr Ker said.
"It will enable us to become users [of the technology] and
become more involved with developing the types of animation
technology used for all sorts of training possibilities -
live streaming of events, computer graphic interfaces, even
engineering," Mr Ker said.
Mr Taylor said technology being developed by Animation
Research is used "the world around" for yachting, cricket,
golf, Formula One racing, rowing, and player tracking.
There was a "huge potential" for people who became involved
with developing the industry to become leaders in the
sporting animation field and work at international events, he
said.
By getting tertiary institutes involved, the aim was to
"broaden the base of knowledge", Mr Taylor said.
Discussions are also being held with departments at the
University of Otago to gauge interest in courses designed
around sports animation and tracking technology, he said.
matthew.haggart@odt.co.nz
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