Paul Hawkins (Hawk-Eye)
Paul Hawkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 24, 1976 United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Durham University |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, technologist, former cricketer |
| Known for | Co-inventor of Hawk-Eye |
Paul Hawkins (born 24 June 1976) is a British mathematician, entrepreneur, technologist, and former cricketer, best known as the co-inventor of Hawk-Eye, a computer vision system used in sports officiating. Originally developed for cricket, the technology has since been adopted in tennis, football, and numerous other sports worldwide.[1]
Early life and education
Hawkins was born in the United Kingdom and attended Durham University, where he studied Physics and represented the university cricket team.[2]
Cricket career
A right-handed batsman and right-arm medium bowler, Hawkins played first-class cricket for the Durham University Centre of Cricketing Excellence (UCCE) in the early 2000s.[3] While not pursuing a professional cricket career, his playing experience contributed to his deep understanding of ball-tracking technology.
Hawk-Eye
Hawkins co-invented Hawk-Eye in 2001 while working with engineers at Roke Manor Research. Initially intended to enhance television broadcasts of cricket matches, the system quickly gained a reputation for accuracy in tracking the trajectory of a ball. It was soon adopted by sports governing bodies for decision review systems (DRS) in cricket, line-calling in tennis, and goal-line technology in football.[1][4]
In 2006, Hawk-Eye Innovations was acquired by Wisden Group, and later by Sony Corporation in 2011.[5]
Other ventures
Hawkins has continued to work on sports technology, including automated officiating systems, data analytics, and virtual reality training tools for athletes.[6]
Personal life
Hawkins remains active in sports development projects and has been involved in initiatives aimed at improving fairness and accuracy in sports officiating.
References
- ^ a b "Inventor of Hawk-Eye". BBC Sport. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Paul Hawkins - Durham University Alumni Profile". Durham University Alumni. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Sport and entertainment: Paul Hawkins". TheGuardian. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "The Sidekick 3: Revolutionizing Cricket Umpiring with Hawk-Eye Innovations". bubblebeeindustries. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Sony acquires sports technology firm Hawk-Eye". broadcastnow. 7 March 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Paul Hawkins: From cricketer to sports tech innovator". BBC News. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.