Get the latest sports technology news! From VR boxing to the newest sports ticketing apps, from VAR drones to AI linesmen - we've got you covered
Good morning, and Happy Monday! The weekend’s over, and you know what that means - Welcome back to The Sports Road! Your very own hub to hear of the best innovations in Sport and have a laugh while you’re at it. Enjoy!
Let's get into it!
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Here at The Sports Road, we love a good partnership - especially one like this…
Look, everyone knows about Zoom. Being essentially the main tool in allowing for human interaction during … strange times, the app was a life saver!
Well, what if we told you it could change, and dare we say improve, Sport forever.
How, you ask? This week, the communication software struck a deal with the MLB which will impact in-game and broadcasting factors.
This is what we know so far:
Yep, you read that correctly. Fans will be allowed access to umpire’s interactions. How many times have you seen a contested decision and just thought, what the hell happened there?!
Just look at Newcastle’s disallowed goal over the weekend… I don’t think anyone has gotten a definitive answer over what/who was offside yet!
And that’s the very reason we think this could really change the game. Using some of this technology for the first time, who’s to say that Zoom can’t break into the wider Sports scene. No disrespect to Baseball 😅
We’re excited!
“We are always looking for innovative ways to leverage best-in-class technology to advance the MLB experience and deliver more to our fans… Partnering with Zoom, a category leader that reinvented the way we connect, was a natural next step for us.”
Chris Marinak, MLB’s chief operations and strategy officer.
Are you a fan of NBA Top Shot, UFC Strike, and NFL All Day? Are you looking for a platform to connect with your favorite athletes and teams, and collect and trade digital collectibles? Look no further than SportsIcon.com, the first user-generated content platform on the Flow blockchain.
Our platform allows any athlete, team, or creator to set up a profile and mint their own NFTs. Using the Dapper Wallet, it is easy for fans to take part and collect digital collectibles featuring their favorite icons and moments in sports history.
SportsIcon.com is more than just a marketplace, it's a unique way for athletes and teams to connect with their audience and build their brand. Join now and be a part of the future of sports collectibles.
Snow Sports are extreme for a reason. With so many uncontrollable factors impacting an athlete’s performance, it feels like you can never be ‘too safe’.
As a result, over the last decade or so, the sector has seen major developments in an effort to ensure athlete’s safety. From the ski’s themselves, to slopes, to even the ski lifts, the Sport has been through drastic changes.
That brings us to today – and unsurprisingly – the inclusion of AI and AR. Look, it wouldn't be a Sports Road newsletter without them, would it?!
Ok, ok. But really, this is VERY cool.
We’ve seen the Smartphone, SmartTV, and even the Smartsock … But now, Smart Ski Goggles. Trust us, this won’t disappoint…
Yep, powered using a combination of AI and AR, these goggles come equipped with notifications, details of the slope, and more information regarding the Skiers surrounding; all that without obstructing their view at all!
Designed by Oostlong, these goggles not only allow Skiers a new perspective on their surroundings, but truly aid in ensuring athlete’s safety.
No, this isn’t another story about Erling Haaland…
But, we are talking about another robot - Artemis, or also known as: ‘Advanced Robotic Technology for Enhanced Mobility and Improved Stability’.
With creators jokingly stating that the name actually means ‘A Robot That Exceeds Messi In Soccer’, this week it was announced that Artemis will be competing in a Football tournament this July!
This robot is the first of its kind and – in the future – could change Sport forever.
Already breaking the record for fastest walking speed by a humanoid robot designed in an academic setting, Artemis is only one of three robots who actually have the ability to run!
Designed with radio-controlled actuators which attempt to mimic human muscles, in preparation for the event, tests will focus on applying the robots pre-existing running capabilities to a Footballing context.
In pairing this with what seems to be an AI revolution recently, one has to wonder how far can this go? Is Sport about to change forever?
‘We’re very excited to take Artemis out for field testing here at UCLA and we see this as an opportunity to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics to a much wider audience.’
Dennis Hong, Director at the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory
Everyone loves an underdog story…
This week saw the Quarter and Semi Finals draw for the Champions League and it’s fair to say, we’re in for a good one.
So good in fact, history may be being made before our eyes.
On one side of the draw, we see Napoli, AC Milan, Inter, and Benfica. This means that at least one of those teams are bound for the final. I’m sure none of you would have been able to predict that at the start of the season…
Here’s why:
Facing the prospect of coming up against European Football’s elite… and Chelsea, these underdogs will have a handful waiting for them in the final.
This is the exact reason why we love Football…
Wow
— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb)
Mar 18, 2023
Spurs - Even Conte knows their DNA... 😂
"You play to win the game...Hello. You play to win the game."
Herman Edwards
Headshot Dead ❤️ AND STILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Ready to rep your favourite newsletter? Refer your friends and colleagues to the Sports Road and you could win big
It’s easy to spread the word. Copy and paste your unique link below and share it in an email or on your timeline
Ps - please respond to this email to help us beat the dreaded spam filters!
Chat to ya on Monday! ☮️