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The industry had already been moving toward more advanced tech, but the isolation caused by the pandemic increased the need for data collection and analysis for coaches and athletes. Now, sports tech has evolved far beyond simple wearables, utilizing artificial intelligence and AI (ML) for newer, better ways to play, practice and enjoy sports.
Enter the metaverse: from practice to gameday, we’ll be playing onlinemachine learningWe can divide sports into four main categories: learn, play, watch and wear.
Traditionally, learning comes from either one-on-one training sessions with a coach, mentor or instructor or through team practices. Those who don’t have access to teams or pickup games often hone their skills at home or in a community center gym, using whatever tools they have available.
Playing encompasses everything from casual pickup games with neighborhood friends to amateur and professional leagues. Both athletes and fans can be included in the “wear” and “watch” categories. Here, we’re talking about going to sporting events, watching live streams, playing in fantasy leagues, wearing team jerseys and purchasing sports equipment.
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In all four categories, a massive shift toward digitization is happening thanks to
and 8 Industries Being Disrupted by Virtual Reality
technology, plus the growing popularity of AI and Web3.ARNow, athletes can train better with AI coaches. Athlete’s AI and Level Up, apps that use VR, provide AI coaching tools for athletes. It is also paving the way for
like future metaverse broadcasts, AR minigames in-stadium and, hopefully, immersive 3D viewing packages.ChatGPTRelated:
Better AI means better athletesbrand-new sporting event experiencesProfessional coaches and leagues have been using AI and ML to assist with training for years. However, the broader availability of AI tech means that amateur athletes and school-level coaches and trainers can leverage this technology to sharpen their practices and analyze player performance data even more effectively.
In particular, augmented reality is an exciting new tool from which athletes can benefit considerably. The ability to overlay computer-generated objects onto a court or field in real life can benefit players who are training alone. They are all connected to the Internet, and social validation and ‘leveling up’ are important parts of their daily lives. Now, apps and communities exist globally so that people anywhere in the world can connect by playing or watching their favorite sports.Why Apple is Primed to Take a Bite Out of Live Sports
Athletes can make progress posts or participate in competitive leaderboards and receive likes, comments and validation from other athletes. Fans can participate in group watch parties or live streams no matter where they live.
This level of social validation is a critical component of the growth and evolution of the global sports community.
Sports fans are also a vital part of the industry, and AR is already transforming how
engage with their favorite sports. Most significant sports broadcasts are already embedding 3D graphics and using real-time AR overlays to provide better commentary and game analysis.
Finally, fantasy sports have gained major traction recently, especially during the lockdown. AR has been incorporated into fantasy sports apps to make them more engaging. The most popular company for this is AR Sports, which has a patented interactive experience reminiscent of other games like
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Digital transformation helps sports tech unlock new and exciting achievements
Web3 may still be in its earliest stages of development, but it is already expanding our minds and stretching the bounds of what we believed was possible.
In sports tech, the uses for AI, ML and Web3 technologies like blockchain and the metaverse are nearly limitless. Team sports are more exciting and digital than ever.