It is hard to mention virtual reality these days without somehow mentioning STRIVR Labs. A number of football teams, professional and college, have picked up STRIVR’s virtual reality software for the purpose of providing players a little extra practice.
The technology has really caught on in the past months, and now it is moving for the first time out of the realm of football.
The Washington Capitals of the NHL, the Washington Mystics in the WNBA and the NBA’s Washington Wizards are all the latest clients of STRIVR. The three teams, all owned and operated under the umbrella of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, are the first in their respective leagues to use the virtual reality system.
They will be using STRIVR’s technology in two ways—in matters of improving player performance and providing a unique game-day experience in the venues.
While STRIVR is new to basketball and hockey, their software works in a flexible way, which should translate well to the court and ice. Basically, the team sets up a 360-degree camera at practice, and that will then supply point-of-view virtual reality experiences of certain plays. Although basketball and hockey are more fluid than football, the STRIVR software should be helpful, as long as these three organizations work closely with STRIVR to work out the kinks.
“The potential competitive advantage that virtual reality training can give us is huge,” said Capitals defenseman John Carlson in a press release. “STRIVR’s experience with football and quarterbacks is exciting for me, because I feel hockey defensemen and quarterbacks go through a similar decision-making process. The virtual reality technology is going to help me fine tune my decision making in games and allow me to train as if I’m at practice without having to be on the ice.”
As for the technology’s use for their fans, the Capitals, Wizards and Mystics have not yet figured that out. All they know is that they will incorporate STRIVR’s software into the Verizon Center VIP club game-day experience, and they will provide other fans a different perspective with selected promotions.
This is all new ground for both STRIVR and the sports industry. It will be interesting to watch these developments.
For more information on STRIVR Labs, check out our previous coverage here.