Sports are not a new phenomenon. As a species, we’ve been participating in athletic competitions since the dawn of the human race. Boxing, wrestling, and foot races are as old as the Paleolithic era, and the most popular sports we talk about today have been around for quite a long time.
However, as our society and technology develop, so do the sports we engage in. Indeed, quite a lot of tech innovations have been useful in pushing sports to a whole new level. In this article, we’d like to look at the different tech that can elevate the sports industry moving forward.
Mobile Apps
The smartphone is no longer a luxury item. Most people can afford a smartphone, and plenty of households have several. The most exciting thing about the smartphone is that it works as a miniature computer, with apps instead of programs.
But how do apps benefit sports? Well, they certainly have a significant influence on the fans. Dozens of apps lead to some of the most respected sports news outlets out there. Mobile apps are perfect if you want to know about a sport’s schedule, the odds of the participants, or the home field.
There is also the fact that a lot of bookies have released mobile apps for their products. Sports and betting go hand in hand. Most fans have placed a sports bet now and then, and there are also those who enjoy betting frequently. With mobile apps, it is easier to do that than ever.
Virtual Reality
When most people think of virtual reality, sports are not usually the first to come to mind. Most people think of video games, and for good reason. VR games have been a dream of many. However, VR can be just as useful for athletes, as for gamers.
Imagine if, instead of reviewed footage of a game when prepping for a match, an athlete could visit the match in person. Immersing in virtual reality could allow them to study their own playstyle, as well as the technique of their opponents. They could then get a three-dimensional visual of what they should improve, and their opponent’s weak spots.
VR could be of great service to the fans as well. As much as we all want to, we can’t all attend a game. However, with VR, we get the next best thing. While we may not be sitting on the bleachers, we could experience the game as if we were. Sadly, virtual reality hasn’t gotten quite to that point yet.
AI VAR
Anyone who has seen a football match knows about the video assistant referees, who are there to assist referees and help them decide on foul play. However, as with any human, a VAR is prone to human error, so some have suggested AI-powered VAR.
AI VAR is not all about excluding the human element. The machine learning software would operate the camera and assist the VAR so that the VAR can focus on reviewing the footage. Some have praised the idea, while others have been fully against it, so AI-powered VAR remains controversial.