We’re thrilled to share that POVORA has been recognised in a Sports Emmy Award as part of ESPN’s 2026 nominations, for our Wireless Tilt Control CapCam.
It sits within The George Wensel Technical Achievement Award category, which celebrates innovation at the very highest level of sports production. The CapCam is featured under the entry:
College Football – POVORA Wireless Tilt Control CapCam – ESPN [Povora]
The prestigious award is in its 47th year.
At its core, this project was about one simple idea. Getting viewers closer to the action than ever before.
Working closely with ESPN, we set out to put audiences right into the referee’s world, without getting in the way of how they move, see or operate. ESPN’s input as innovation partners was absolutely critical throughout, helping shape both the technical direction and how the system performs in a live broadcast environment, while working with College Football partners for approvals for usage.
We had to fit a camera, transmitter, battery and control system into a standard referee cap, with no cables, while keeping everything light, balanced and comfortable enough to wear for a full game.
Alongside our design partners House of Drones AG, led by Laurin Goeller, we built a fully integrated solution that does exactly that.
The camera sits on the brim of the cap, paired with a custom 4K module and the smallest and lightest broadcast COFDM transmitter available, the DBS PicoTXR. Everything, including power and control, is contained within the cap itself, removing the need for any body-worn cabling.
From there, an operator can adjust the camera angle wirelessly in real time using RF control, allowing the shot to stay properly framed as the referee moves around the pitch.
At the same time, horizon lock stabilisation keeps the picture feeling natural and level, even when the movement isn’t. The result is a view that feels steady and watchable, without losing the intensity of being right in the middle of the action.
It’s a small piece of kit, but a big step forward in how live sport can be captured.
We’d also like to thank the Atlantic Coast Conference and the match officials for their support and willingness to be part of this innovation. Their openness and trust were essential in making this possible within a live competitive environment.
To be recognised in this category, alongside some of the biggest broadcasters and most advanced innovations in global sport, is a huge moment for us, particularly as part of ESPN’s industry leading nominations this year.
The 47th Annual Sports Emmy Awards will take place on Tuesday 26 May 2026 at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. ESPN led all networks in this year’s nominations, highlighting the strength of the projects recognised across its portfolio.
It’s also an important step forward for us as we continue to build POVORA into a leading platform for wearable technology across sport and beyond.
