CMU Develops 'Yinz Cam' For Penguins' New Arena

Software developed at Carnegie Mellon University offers new benefits for Pittsburgh Penguins fans.

The software, called the “Yinz Cam,” lets spectators watch the game from any vantage point in the arena on their cell phones. It even tells them the best times to head for the refreshment stand or the bathroom.

"Hockey moves really, really fast, and you want to catch every second of the game," explained Carnegie Mellon Professor Priya Narasimhan. "Even if you have excellent seats right up against the glass, when the action is on the other side of the arena you no longer have the best seats in the house."

Narasimhan and her students began working on a solution when they heard the Penguins were looking for ideas for the new arena, which is set to open in the fall of 2010.

With the Yinz Cam, spectators download a widget onto their cell phones prior to the game. Then they're able to choose from a variety of camera views. It also allows them to replay their favorite player scoring a goal, a fight that broke out or any other action that happens on the ice.

Narasimhan said her students' passion for the Pens was her inspiration for the project.

"The students are amazing," she said. "And they and I are big fans, so this is a really big deal for them."

The Yinz Cam software has been in use for four or five games at Mellon Arena, Narasimhan said.