What happened to Hotspot technology? Why is it no longer used?

By providing a novel method of determining whether the ball has struck the bat or pad, hotspot technology once completely changed cricket broadcasts. 

It was first introduced in the early 2000s and helped umpires make more accurate calls, especially for faint edges and LBW calls, by using infrared imaging to detect heat signatures produced by contact.

Infrared imaging technology, which detects heat produced by friction, was used by Hotspot. In cricket, the tiny amount of heat generated by the impact would appear as a white spot or mark on the infrared image when the ball touched an object, like the bat, pad, or glove. To record even the smallest temperature variations, these cameras ran at a high frame rate and sensitivity. 

No matter how the ball traveled, a clear picture was guaranteed thanks to the thoughtful placement of several cameras that offered a variety of perspectives. Hotspot provided a scientific dimension to on-field decisions, making it especially helpful for settling close calls involving thin margins or bat-pad occurrences.

Hotspot gains popularity

Hotspot received a lot of accolades for its accuracy, particularly while the Decision Review System (DRS) was being implemented. It gave broadcasters a visually appealing tool and assisted in resolving controversial choices. It was frequently thought to be more dependable than Snickometer or UltraEdge, which depend on audio spikes and are susceptible to background noise.

It increased players' and umpires' confidence in reviews by visually verifying even the smallest edges. Additionally, the technology improved the viewing experience by adding a layer of transparency that fans found appealing.

Why Hotspot is no longer used?

Because hotspot required specialized infrared cameras and technical staff, it was costly to install.  For lower-tier contests or smaller broadcasters, it was not practical.

Sometimes the bat-pad proximity caused the device to give false positives or fail to identify very subtle edges.  Its dependability was also affected by outside variables like perspiration or tape on the bat.

UltraEdge (an enhanced Snickometer) became the go-to option as its accuracy and dependability increased. UltraEdge was less expensive, simpler to install, and seamlessly connected with DRS.

Although Hotspot has mostly vanished from popular cricket broadcasts, it was crucial in advancing the use of technology in decision-making. Though broadcasters and boards have gone on to more useful, affordable instruments that accomplish the same goal with fewer difficulties, today's systems nevertheless owe a lot to the foundation it created.

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