A leading tech futurologist has claimed that Star Wars-like podracing could become a reality and a regulated sport by 2025.
Dr Ian Pearson, who invented text messaging among more than 1,800 inventions, has predicted what sporting innovations the world can expect in the coming years.
The Sun reports that the futurologist believes many fans can expect major enhancements in how we interact with and view sports.
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And that podracing could become a regulated sport similar to Formula 1 in just a few years.
Dr Pearson said: “Drone races would be a bit like podracing in Star Wars.
“So that’s an emerging sport which could be regulated in a similar way to Formula 1.
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“The drones would be restricted in terms of power to ensure competitors are on a level playing field.”
If it does become a reality just be careful if a nine-year-old boy wins the whole thing, he could just become the next Sith Lord.
And while new sports could certainly emerge, Dr Pearson believes current athletes will certainly benefit from developing technology.
Such tech includes the introduction of augmented reality (AR) glasses to training sessions for elite footballers.
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While he also predicts that athletes will begin to wear electronics on and under their skin by the 2030s.
He says a tech called ‘active skin’ will be a sensory technology that will be used by pros to improve their technique by helping develop muscle memory.
He added: “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.
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“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.”
It won’t just be the athletes that benefit either.
Dr Pearson believes fans will be able to watch sports using AR glasses as if they’re pitchside, from anywhere in the stadium.
This includes getting up close and personal with the players and atmosphere.
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Dr Pearson continued: “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.”
Imagine a POV view of Kylian Mbappe sprinting down the wing. Wild.
Jayden Collins