UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — FOX Sports is using a rather unique device to capture some sweet camera angles at this week’s U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.
Along with drones and virtual reality cameras, FOX is utilizing small remote control vehicles equipped with cameras for ground-level shots of golfers and the course itself.
We saw the gyro-stabilized “RC camera cars” in action during Thursday’s final round and they look like golf’s version of a Mars rover. FOX has employees who stand off the fairway and control the devices, which can travel at speeds of up to 20 MPH.
This is Fox’s first time broadcasting a major golf tournament after inking a 12-year deal with the USGA worth a reported $1.2 billion. As we noted, the company is utilizing a bevy of high-tech gadgets for its coverage, including virtual-reality camera rigs that allow fans to immerse themselves in the action. I had a chance to strap on a VR headset and experience the new technology on Thursday, and I’ll be writing about the experience later on GeekWire.
In the meantime, check out golf’s version of the Mars rover below:
