Robots Join the Court: NBA's New AI Teammates

This: The NBA's top players are now practicing with robots. These aren't your average robots, though. They're advanced AI machines designed to make practices more efficient and effective. The Golden State Warriors are already using three different types of robots during their training sessions. The first robot, named A. B. E. (Automated Basketball Engine), is Stephen Curry's new shooting partner. This robot can chase down shots and pass them back to Curry, no matter where he is on the court. It tracks Curry's position, so he can focus on scoring without worrying about retrieving the ball. Curry found the experience a bit strange at first, but he quickly realized that these robots never get tired or need breaks. This means they can push him to work harder and improve his skills. The second type of robot, M. I. M. I. C. (Motion & Intercept Modular-Interface Coordination), is used by head coach Steve Kerr to run dummy offenses and defenses during practice. Kerr treats these robots just like human players, even yelling at them to "get out" when he wants to rerun a play. These robots can track tiny movements, simulate game-like pressure, and provide real-time feedback faster than any coach or trainer. The third robot, K. I. T. (Kinematic Interface Tool), has a unique job. It's designed to keep Draymond Green's spirits up during workouts. These smaller robots roll around the locker room, playing movies and giving motivational speeches to the players. They might look similar to the M. I. M. I. C. robots, but their job is all about morale. The NBA has worked closely with players and coaches to make sure these robots meet their needs. This is all part of the NBA's efforts to bridge engineering and human performance. It's a big step forward from just 25 years ago, when the focus was on expanding internet access for training. These robots are already proving to be invaluable to the Warriors. They're not just a novelty; they're a practical tool that's changing the way players train. It's a fascinating look into the future of AI in professional sports. As Curry and the Warriors continue to use these robots, it's clear that AI is becoming an integral part of their training regimen. This raises the question: What other ways can AI be used to enhance sports performance? It's a topic worth exploring as technology continues to advance.