As a sport, football has received criticism in recent years for the head injuries that impact players on a frequent basis, and Mobile Virtual Players are a way for teams to run practices while reducing that risk. The Mobile Virtual Players (or MVPs) are smart tackling dummies that make it easier for teams to run practice without having to make contact with one another.
Tackling dummies are a mainstay of football practice, but they come with limitations. Due to their immobility, they can't effectively be used for live scrimmages. The MVPs are motorized and self-righting, making them the perfect gear to reduce full contact during practice.
The practice robots have been used by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Dallas Cowboys of the NFL, as well as by several college and high school teams.
Robotic Tackling Dummies
'Mobile Virtual Players' Make Football Practice Safer
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Training Equipment - The development of motorized and self-righting tackling dummies opens up opportunities for virtual training in various sports, reducing the risk of injuries during practice.
2. Player Safety Technology - The introduction of smart tackling dummies showcases the growing trend of leveraging technology to enhance player safety in contact sports like football.
3. Contactless Sports Practices - The use of Mobile Virtual Players enables teams to conduct contactless practices, paving the way for new training methodologies and reducing the risk of injuries.
Industry Implications
1. Sports Equipment Manufacturing - Sports equipment manufacturers can seize the disruptive innovation opportunity by developing and producing motorized, self-righting tackling dummies to meet the growing demand for safer and more effective training gear.
2. Virtual Reality Training - The integration of motorized and self-righting tackling dummies into virtual reality training programs presents an opportunity for VR training developers to offer realistic and injury-free practice simulations for football players and other contact sports.
3. Sports Technology - Sports technology companies can explore the development of advanced sensors and analytics integrated into the Mobile Virtual Players to provide real-time performance feedback and injury prevention insights during practices.