Humans have always been the center of attention on the sports field. With rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics, humanoid robots increasingly play significant roles in sports.
Coach Role: Enhancing Sports Training
Humanoid robots are transforming sports training, offering coaches innovative tools and perspectives. For instance, certain robots can simulate specific movements, helping athletes better understand techniques and improve their performance. Equipped with advanced sensors and cameras, these robots can monitor athletes’ actions, posture, and technical details in real time, enabling the development of more scientific training programs.
One example is TOPIO, a life-sized humanoid robot developed in Vietnam. It mimics table tennis movements, uses built-in cameras to observe ball trajectories, and reacts to opponents’ actions, accelerating skill improvement for beginners. Another notable example is Japan’s Taizo robot, designed for elderly fitness. Seniors can interact with Taizo via voice commands and button inputs, following its guidance for physical exercise. In 2017, Taizo was used in a pilot study at the Mito Prefectural Health Plaza to assist seniors with rehabilitation exercises.
Employee Role: Supporting Event Operations
Beyond training, robots excel in the organization, execution, and promotion of sports events. They can handle tasks like security patrols, equipment transportation, and venue cleaning, enhancing overall event efficiency. Additionally, robots serve as information providers, offering spectators seat guidance, event details, and information about nearby facilities.
For example, SoftBank’s Pepper robot has been deployed in various sports venues, providing attendees with information and showcasing its potential in event services.
Athlete Role: Competing on the Field
Robots are also making their mark as competitors in sports. In soccer, for instance, some robots use complex algorithms and sensor technology to control the ball and execute precise shots. The RoboCup, an international cooperative project launched in 1996, aims to develop a fully autonomous humanoid robot soccer team capable of defeating the FIFA World Cup champions under official rules by 2050.
Robot-on-robot competitions have also become a popular form of entertainment. Events like robot soccer, fencing, and boxing have become highlights at technology exhibitions. For example, this year’s World Robot Conference featured multiple soccer-playing robots presented by Accelerated Evolution Company.
How Can Sports and Robotics Further Integrate?
Globally, sports is a substantial market and a vital pillar of the economy for many countries. In the U.S., the sports industry’s output is twice that of the automotive sector and seven times that of the film industry, contributing nearly 3% to the GDP. In China, the sports industry is also growing rapidly. The General Administration of Sport of China aims to expand the sector to over ¥5 trillion by 2025 and make it a key contributor to the national economy by 2035.
The integration of robotics and sports follows distinct trajectories worldwide. Internationally, the focus lies on “sports + robotics,” leveraging robotic technology to drive innovation in sports activities. Domestically, the emphasis is on “robotics + sports,” with research centered on algorithms and system development for sports-specific robots, such as soccer and table tennis robots.
In the future, adopting global best practices could enable broader integration of robotic technology into the sports ecosystem, fostering deeper interaction between sports and technology.
