Catapult Sports Vector 8

Catapult sought to redesign its elite athlete monitoring system from the ground up—launching a new flagship hardware platform to universally support its proprietary athlete algorithms, data platforms, and service offerings. The Vector 8 solution needed to eliminate reliance on field-side laptops, enable next-generation live data streaming, and improve portability. The aim was to deliver a modular, high-performance ecosystem—comprising the S8 Tag, Smart Dock, Receiver, and Relay—each optimised for fast deployment, efficient data handling, and support for high athlete volumes across teams, venues, and sporting codes. Design requirements included streamlining real-time processing, enabling firmware extensibility and variant evolution, reducing assembly cost, and improving platform consistency. The system also needed to reflect Catapult’s brand leadership, support market-specific configurations, and identify opportunities for IP protection through design and technical differentiation.

Vector 8 advances Catapult’s athlete monitoring technology through a modular, miniaturised platform designed for elite sport. D+I led a research-driven program to replace legacy infrastructure with portable, high-performance hardware. The S8 Tag was reengineered for compactness, dual-environment tracking, and live metric processing. The Smart Dock embedded onboard compute to eliminate field-side laptops and enable direct-to-cloud data handling. USB-C was intentionally eliminated, and a ground-up, purpose-built solution for data transfer between tags and dock was developed—enabling simultaneous downloads from multiple tags and pushing speeds beyond USB limitations. The Smart Dock, Receiver, and Relay units share common platform elements. Modularity future-proofs key architectural components, enabling ease of serviceability and upgradability.The Receiver and Relay transitioned from fixed installations to weatherproof, rapidly deployable portable formats, introducing a universal magnetic mounting system. A unified design language—refined through prototyping—guided RF layout, assembly logic, and interface clarity, resulting in a scalable, high-performance solution optimised for all major sporting codes.

Vector 8 replaces fixed infrastructure with a compact, modular system now adopted by elite teams globally. Miniaturised hardware, onboard computing, and cloud integration reduce equipment overhead and accelerate access to live and post-session data. Analysts and coaches make faster, more informed decisions; athletes receive immediate feedback. Component sharing, EVA carry kits, and firmware-based extensibility reduce tooling, packaging, and logistical waste. A unified design language improves usability, serviceability, and product longevity. Modular architecture introduces a more sustainable approach to physical design—future-proofed through firmware-based extensibility, simplified servicing, reduced tooling, replaceable batteries, and the ability to upgrade frequency technologies. The platform enables scalable manufacturing, IP generation, and variant development—strengthening Catapult’s position in global sport and demonstrating how system-led design delivers measurable performance and commercial return.

S8 Tag integrates the most advanced microprocessors and inertial sensors in sport, with GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and HR sensors. It supports real-time metric processing and dual-environment tracking in a 43×82mm housing. Design features include a rear alignment rib, ECG snaps, ball bearing detent, and a three-LED interface indicating battery, GPS, and data sync status. Smart Dock proprietary developed data solution supports simultaneous download for 30 Tags . With onboard compute, it replaces field laptops and streams session data directly to tablets and analytics platforms. Its angled, staggered layout improves visibility and handling. Dock internals feature a tiered PCB stack, anchor PCB, tactile LEDs, and USB-C charging—optimised for operation inside EVA transport cases. Receiver and Relay offer weatherproof, portable alternatives to legacy fixed infrastructure. Internal RF board layout and antenna geometry are optimised for reliable signal performance across a 400m x 400m field. Magnetic ball joint mount enables fast attachment to poles, fences, walls, or tripods, with no tools required. Unified industrial design language spans the range—black finishes for Tag and Dock; black/white for Relay and Receiver; consistent surface geometry and LED feedback. EVA carry cases house system components in two ruggedised kits, streamlining setup, transport, and on-field operation.