A Bristol student has patented a new technology that could be used to help confirm when a try is scored at rugby matches.
Patrick Sullivan, who is studying engineering at the University of Bristol, believes his invention could replace the television match official (TMO), autonomous system VAR and Hawk-Eye.
Current designs rely on cameras which track a ball's trajectory to check if it has crossed the line. But the 25-year-old's new system uses electromagnetic fields such as nickel, silver or graphene instead.
According to Mr Sullivan, his tech could be "particularly useful" in rugby when mauls obscure the cameras’ view of the ball, making it difficult to prove if a try has been scored.
The life-long rugby fan said his novel system could also be used in other sports such as football and athletics, and for performance analysis and refereeing.
“This invention could compete with and even replace current technologies used in football, tennis, rugby and more ," he said. "It will be great to add something to the sports that I’ve spent so many years following.”
Mr Sullivan, who captained his school rugby team and still plays for a local Bristol side, said he was "always frustrated" by the uncertainty of decisions made by the TMO when watching games on TV.
He met Dr Mo Abolkheir, an honorary philosopher of inventions and patents at the University of Bristol, who had begun mulling the problem over himself after watching a match that took place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
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Dr Abolkheir showed Mr Sullivan his 'Half-Causation Method', which provides a framework for developing inventions and getting them patented.
After two and a half years of work, the project has resulted in a GB patent, a pending international patent and a soon-to-be new company developing the technology.
The duo were helped in their efforts by materials expert Professor Paul Hogg and electronics expert Dr Shyqyri Haxha, both from Royal Holloway, University of London; and investor Paul Andrews, a successful chief executive and director of several companies.
Dr Abolkheir said: “As a philosopher, it is quite satisfying to see an abstract model being implemented and producing successful practical results.
“As a teacher, it is a genuine pleasure to collaborate with Patrick Sullivan, who exhibited impressive engineering competence even when he was still an undergraduate."
The team is currently working on further technological developments.
Mr Sullivan added: “When I was in the pub with mates I had to grit my teeth when decisions were being made by TMO or VAR. Now the patent has been issued I can finally tell them about the invention.”
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