Robots to change the way NFL teams prepare and practice

THE NFL has a new MVP. The Mobile Virtual Player — next generation technology on wheels that is set to change the game.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are working out against MVP’s.

NEW padded robots operated by remote control are being used by the Pittsburgh Steelers in off-season workouts with more available to NFL teams next year if experimental tests work out.

The Mobile Virtual Player — dummies on wheels that can weave, change direction, speed up and stop — are being used as far more than simulated tackling surrogates by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who has them testing receivers and rushers in training.

“It’s an awesome piece of football technology,” Tomlin said in a posting on the club website. “I am always interested in ways to use technology in terms of teaching football. We are excited to get a close look at it.”

Experimenting with a new technology has us thinking differently when we hear “MVP.”🎥 | https://t.co/hAsTxd8xFxhttps://t.co/4RXpKN3r1S

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 19, 2016

The “MVP” was developed and first used at Dartmouth College and is quickly helping the Steelers hone their skills without man-on-man drills. Now it’s man-on-machine.

“The applications we are quickly finding are endless,” Tomlin said. “It never gets tired. It runs at an appropriate football speed. All of the position groups are getting an opportunity to use it.

“It’s funny. You just put it on the field and watch the guys and they show you the applications. It has been fun watching that.” The version remains in the test phase after Tomlin was attracted to it a year ago, opening dialogue with Dartmouth through Danny Rooney, a Steelers’ staff member who played football at Dartmouth.

The ‘MVP’ is the latest technological aid being used by NFL clubs.

“Players are generally open, particularly this time of year, to new things,” Tomlin said. “We always try to challenge them with some new tool that will help them grow and develop, and they are always looking for new tools to help them grow and develop.

“I think they are excited. I imagine it’s a great tool from a tackling tech standpoint. In today’s NFL, with player safety the focus that it is, I think it’s going to provide opportunities to improve in that area without the man-to-man combat associated with that teaching.”

The visual of a remote-controlled robot “running” around the field with grown men chasing after it is somewhat comical, but the benefits are substantial, as the Steelers are quickly realising. If it can prevent injuries, robots will be at every training camp in the future — or at least they should.

Originally published as Robots to change the way NFL teams prepare and practice