Top tech developments kids want to see in sports – like cameras in footballs
The tech developments children most want to see in sport include free-flying drones, performance-enhancing exoskeleton suits – and AI referees, a study has found. A poll of 1,000 kids, aged 10 to 16, found cameras in footballs, and underwater racing cars, also ranked highly.
And while 85 percent already watch some form of sport, 25 percent would be likely to view more if robots and computers were involved.
Others are hoping the future will include devices that can fix broken bones and injuries in a flash – as well as boxing gloves that measure just how hard a punch is thrown.
A spokesman for Virgin Media O2, which is supporting BBC Children in Need with 5G connectivity across their national Hado eSport tour, said: “Technological advances are unlocking new possibilities every day.
“From VAR to Hawkeye, smart balls to wearable sensors, technology has already transformed sport in ways unimaginable a few decades back.
“While we’re some way from many of the out-there ideas young people dreamt up, cutting-edge 5G connectivity will help unlock new innovation in future.
“It is clear from the research that children want to see more technology used, and that it would have a positive impact on how much they watch and play their favourite sports.”
Despite widespread controversy over the implementation of VAR and video technology in the modern game, football was the most popular sport to watch, with 64 percent of the youngsters tuning in.
Tennis (26 percent) and rugby (24 percent) claimed silver and bronze when it comes to most popular sports – while 15 percent said they hadn’t watched any sport at all, either in person or on TV, in the past year.
However, a quarter of kids said they would be more inclined to watch sports if technology was involved – compared to only four percent who would be less likely.
Almost eight in ten (78 percent) said they would be excited if more technology was added to their favourite game – with 41 percent keen on the ideas of both cameras in smart footballs, and robot referees.
Meanwhile, 17 percent were taken with exoskeleton suits to protect athletes, and 12 percent fancied supplying basketball players with trampolines.
An impatient 13 percent would like to see teleportation around the golf course, to make the game quicker, while 14 percent thought motorised swimsuits were a genius idea.
The study, carried out via OnePoll.com, revealed that more than a third (35 percent) of children said they watched sport a few times a week, while seven percent did so every day – but 19 percent watch just once a week.
Outside of school, almost half of kids play football (45 percent), while 27 percent went swimming, 15 percent took part in athletics, and nine percent played rugby.
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And almost three in ten (27 percent) played some kind of sport in their free time on at least two days a week.
When asked how they felt about robots competing alongside human athletes, 24 percent said they were curious, while 21 percent were confused, and 17 percent were excited.
Meanwhile, one in ten (11 percent) were happy at the thought – although four percent admitted the idea made them jealous.
It also emerged that 35 percent had played eSports or multiplayer video games, welcoming the potential to compete in virtual sports.
FIFA was the favourite for 57 percent of young people, followed by Fortnite (51 percent), and Call of Duty (43 percent).
Virgin Media O2’s spokesman added: “Increased access to technology is rapidly changing the hobbies and interests of the younger generation, with eSports becoming a more popular way for them to spend their time.
“Incorporating technology with traditional sports will keep young people engaged, enabling them to get the physical benefits in a way that they find most entertaining.”
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