TECH

Boston Dynamics robot dogs become cheerleaders

In connection with the coronavirus pandemic, restrictions on working conditions and many areas of human life have been introduced. Sports were no exception, some of which were resumed, but with empty stands. In this sense, the Japanese baseball club Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks was forced to attract robots to perform traditional dance, which was usually performed before the start of the match by their fans to the sound of the team's anthem.
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks against the Rakuten Eagles, more than 40 robots, including Boston Dynamic's SoftBank Pepper and Spot robot dogs, entered the podium of an empty 40,000-seat Fukuoka Dome stadium before the season's final game of the season professional baseball player. They danced to Izayuke Wakataka Gundan's team anthem, creating a truly unique atmosphere. Some of the robots were wearing Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks caps and waving flags to support the team.
The reaction of the team's fans on social media was mixed. "I think it's like a dystopia," wrote one of the Twitter users, although the other called the performance he saw "insanely beautiful".
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NPB season began three months later, on June 19, and until recently, fans were not allowed to participate in the games. However, last Friday's restrictions were relaxed and the authorities were allowed to participate in professional baseball and football matches in Japan, but no more than 5,000 fans per game.

AVnews