Futurologist predicts how tech developments could enhance sports

Drone racing that is similar to the pod racing in Star Wars is expected by 2025 (Image: Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images)The new tech could enable athletes to improve their performance and give fans the ultimate viewing experience – and wouldn’t look out of place in a sci-fi blockbuster.And it’s not just sports participants who will benefit from the enhancements.Dr Pearson, who has partnered with 888 Sport to share his insights, believes fans will be able to wear special glasses at sports events, which display real-time stats and allow them to zoom in on the action.Some gadgets are even likely to be commonplace within the next couple of years – including Star Wars-style pod racing, which we can expect to see in 2025.Dr Pearson said: ‘Drone races would be a bit like pod racing in Star Wars – so that’s an emerging sport which could be regulated in a similar way to Formula 1.’The drones would be restricted in terms of power to ensure competitors are on a level playing field.’And numerous exciting developments are expected when it comes to improving the performance of athletes – including the introduction of augmented reality (AR) glasses to training sessions for elite footballers by 2025.It is also predicted that the 2030s will see athletes wear electronics on – or even under – their skin, to enhance their performance.And tech called ‘active skin’ – an example of sensing technology – will be used by pros to improve their technique in sports like tennis or golf, to help develop muscle memory for a particular action. 888 Sport has tracked the evolution of technology in sport so far (Image: 888 Sport)Dr Pearson added: ‘AR glasses will adapt to what happens in real-time, so I can see heavy use of augmented reality in training.’By printing electronics straight onto the skin’s surface, or putting tiny electronic capsules into the skin, you can get direct access to your blood and your nervous system.’This way, you can monitor exactly what’s happening inside your body at any given time, and assess this with your coach to devise the best strategy for you based on this continuous data that is available in real-time.’Active skin would enhance how fast you’re learning quite considerably, and it would allow you to develop the muscle memory much faster.’A younger athlete would be able to get to a good level in a few months, instead of a few years.’But it’s not all about the athletes – tech such as AR and AI will also change how fans enjoy sport by 2027.Dr Pearson said: ‘For fans who are watching football, for example, rather than participating simultaneously, future designs of AR glasses could be used to zoom in on a particular area of the pitch. The top changes to come include AI and AR, and the materials used for sports uniforms (Image: 888 Sport)’You’ll be able to see the pitch from any angle, and zoom as you like to see expressions and get closer to players.’If you’re obsessed with statistics, you can have all the statistics you want in your field of view.’Even if you’re in the stadium, you can still use this AR technology to improve your view while soaking up the atmosphere.’Another option to give fans an entirely new view of football would be for the players to wear cameras in their kits, to give fans the exact view of a player and to see where they’re looking.’Other possible innovations include using boron to make sports equipment, improvements in how data is used to boost decision-making in athletes, and a technology-enhanced Olympics.Dr Pearson said: ‘We could see a technology-enhanced Olympics in 2050, where people are allowed to use all sorts of technologies.’Whether it’s equipment, clothes, genetic enhancements, or smart drugs that are all available and could give athletes an advantage, and may make some sports more exciting to watch.’