The sports industry has always garnered significant viewership, with millions of people worldwide tuning in or purchasing expensive tickets to witness their favorite players or teams across various sporting branches. High-profile events like the Super Bowl or the FIFA World Cup can attract hundreds of millions of viewers.
As with many industries, technology is causing significant disruptions in the sports sector. Given the global popularity of the industry, developments and news related to it are closely followed by large audiences and extensively discussed by experts and fans in media outlets. One particular topic generating a lot of discussions on social media is the role of robots in sports.
AI Robots vs. Humans
AI and robotics, among the most influential technologies globally, impact numerous sectors such as defense, marketing, healthcare and more. Within the sports industry, debates have emerged regarding the potential of AI-powered robots to compete with, or eventually surpass, human athletes.
There are instances of AI robots challenging human professionals. For example, in 2023, an AI-powered humanoid robot named CUE6 drew with NBA shooting coach Chris Matthews, also known as ‘Lethal Shooter,’ in a basketball shooting contest.
Videos showcasing robots playing football frequently circulate on social media. One video featured a CGI robot demonstrating remarkable agility and speed during soccer training, garnering over four million views. The post suggested that Boston Dynamics could soon create such capable robots. Another video depicted football star Kylian Mbappé playing football with a humanoid robot, where the robot scored an impressive goal after an assist from Mbappé.
Why Robot Athletes?
Robot athletes could be designed to surpass human limitations in terms of strength, speed, and precision. With advanced engineering and artificial intelligence, these robots could excel in physical attributes, potentially outperforming human athletes in specific disciplines. Robots are not susceptible to physical fatigue, injuries, or environmental conditions in the same way humans are. Their ability to maintain peak performance without the risk of injury could result in longer and more consistent displays of athleticism, ultimately redefining the limits of endurance in sports.
Robots can be programmed for unparalleled precision and accuracy in executing specific tasks. Whether it’s shooting a basketball, kicking a soccer ball, or throwing a pitch, robot athletes could consistently deliver actions with pinpoint precision, challenging the unpredictable nature of human performance. The integration of robot athletes could lead to the creation of entirely new sports or innovative variations of existing ones, which we have started to begin seeing. With their unique capabilities, robots might introduce novel playing styles and strategies, offering spectators a fresh and exciting perspective on traditional sports.
Competitive Intelligence
The question of whether AI robots can perform like human athletes remains unanswered as of 2023. Fully autonomous mobile robots capable of such feats might still be some time away. GlobalData highlights significant limitations in the current generation of intelligent robots, emphasizing the need for advancements in AI aspects like computer vision, motion, and decision-making before creating more advanced industrial automation or efficient robot athletes.
Despite current limitations, there is optimism that advancements will occur in the coming years. AI startups focusing on enhancing robots’ intelligence and independence, such as Figure and Bright Machines, are attracting investment, indicating a belief in the technology’s future importance and further developments.
Potential for Robot-Only Sports
While the sports industry typically adopts new technologies cautiously, preferring proven success before heavy investment, GlobalData suggests that the focus will likely be on AI applications like computer vision (CV) and machine learning rather than the immediate integration of robot athletes into stadiums.
Questions about fan interest in robot-versus-robot sporting events compared to all-human events may also hinder the widespread use of robotic athletes. Considering these factors, it seems unlikely that machines will completely replace human athletes in the near future. However, the implementation of technology alongside traditional sports is already becoming a huge spectacle, with Machina Sports at the forefront.
