Autonomous Production of Images based on Distributed and Intelligent Sensing – APIDIS will most likely revolutionize the way we view sports entertainment video in the very near future. Sounds exciting huh? How does working in insurance sound? ‘Cause that’s what we’ll all be doing when this little diddy takes hold. I know, I know, how melodramatic, but let me explain. APIDIS is an automated system that combines multiple video streams artificially and intelligently. It will track objects on command and can make decisions on what is the best angle you should be viewing something at. You will also be able to choose from your location what camera you’d rather be viewing. So, say you’re watching Roger Federer play a tennis match, but you’d rather just look at Maria Sharapova in the stands the whole time, with APIDIS you can just do that and still be your creepy self. Why would there be an isolated camera on Maria the whole time anyway? I don’t know, I’m just trying to make a point.

The technology supposedly will do away with us lame carbon based life forms as camera operators/Directors/TD’s, and that’s exactly what it’s designed to do. According to the official APIDIS website, “As a federating objective, APIDIS targets cost-effective autonomous production, so as to make the creation of audiovisual reports profitable, even in case of small- or medium-size audience.”  Profitable? I’m sure they mean “more profitable.” To be honest, our crews are mainly freelance, and although they can be a big cost, so will be this system. Large broadcasters with staff will definitely see an interest in APIDIS for obvious reasons, and ESPN is already taking more than a casual look at it according to Gizmodo.

As a consumer, I think this idea may have promising applications. As a person in the industry, I’m worried it’s just another step towards total automation domination. Here’s another odd twist.  The website states that APIDIS is “co-funded by the European Union.”  I find this kind of odd, since it reeks of unbridled capitalism.

Let me know your thoughts.  I could be totally wrong on this one.

Photo: Kevin H.