Skip to main content

Drones and virtual reality the latest tools in Dallas Cowboys’ arsenal

HTC Vive
Jeffery Van Camp/Digital Trends
While companies like Oculus Rift, Google, and HTC showcase virtual reality for personal entertainment, the Dallas Cowboys are hoping that it will help them win a Super Bowl.

The Cowboys are using drones that can capture 360-degree video of their practices, providing a better perspective of each player. Players later wear virtual reality headsets that show the game video in a special room created at their Valley Ranch facility. The video will also appear on a main screen and will adjust based on where the player is looking.

Recommended Videos

Coaches will be able to tell if players made the proper reads because they will be able to see things they normally could not see from typical practice cameras such as each player’s eyes, hand placements, and feet. Practices are generally filmed with end-zone and overhead cameras, but a drone overhead filming 360 degrees will give coaches every perspective possible. It will be especially helpful to backup players, who rarely get that kind of hands-on experience.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The technology is from StriVR labs, which makes the software that was developed by former Stanford kicker Derek Belch. It has already been adopted by college teams such as Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, and Vanderbilt. The Cowboys are the first NFL team to adopt such a program, but other teams will likely follow suit. The Atlanta Falcons have already showed interest.

While filming practices will be an important role for virtual reality, it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Fans will benefit once the technology makes it possible to stream live games in full 360-degree video. Imagine watching a game from the point of view of being on the field with the players and seeing exactly what the quaterback sees. That will bring a whole new meaning to “armchair quarterback.”

Robert Nazarian
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Robert Nazarian became a technology enthusiast when his parents bought him a Radio Shack TRS-80 Color. Now his biggest…
Exercise with friends in FitXR’s virtual, multiplayer workout classes
workout virutally with friends thanks to fitxr multiple virtual

If you can't make it to the gym, bring the gym to you -- virtually. FitXR has now launched a multiplayer feature that lets users workout with and against friends. After all, there's nothing like a bit of competition to keep you motivated. In addition to the new features, FitXR is launching a membership model that brings additional benefits to subscribers. All existing members will receive a free 90-day subscription, after which the subscription will be $10 per month.

One of the benefits of the new membership model is the addition of a new class each day. Every class is choreographed by a group of professional fitness instructors to keep them fun and effective. If you're tired of the same style of Zumba classes and you aren't quite ready to turn to Jazzercise, try one of the new daily classes.

Read more
Apple’s mixed reality headset could be half the weight of other headsets
A woman reaching out while wearing a VR headset.

 

Recent reports have indicated Apple is keen to get in on the smart headset game with a mixed reality device that combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) with a dozen built-in cameras and sensors. Now, reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is working on giving its headset a key advantage over rivals.

Read more
Pokémon Go creators announce Pikmin augmented-reality game
pokmon go creators announce pikmin augmented reality game colorful cobblestone road pavement

 

Following their huge success with Pokémon Go, Nintendo and Niantic have finally gotten around to collaborating on another augmented-reality (AR) game.

Read more