Meet 'Drone-ovic,' the drone that's trying to improve your tennis game
LONDON -- Ever wished you could get your serving game on Novak Djokovic's level?
Now, you can. Sort of.
Virgin Active has launched what it says is the first drone geared toward enhancing the tennis training experience. Dubbed "The Drone-ovic," it's designed to drop balls from all angles and great heights not achievable by traditional ball machines.
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Additionally, Drone-ovic is fitted with a tiny 4K camera that gives players and their coaches a bird’s eye view of their game, allowing them to analyse technical aspects of their performance.
“The great thing about Drone-ovic is it recreates the serve and smash experience with greater accuracy," Virgin Active's Head of Racquets, Gary Stewart, said in a press release sent to Mashable. "By dropping tennis balls from high and unexpected angles it keeps members on their toes and improves technique and agility."
The drone is being trialled on court at Virgin Active’s Collection Club in Northwood where it's controlled by a team of experts. If you look very closely, you will notice a thin, plastic line from which the ball is suspended. When the ball is ready to be released, the line detaches from a hook inside of Drone-ovic to the waiting player below.
While we aren't convinced Drone-ovic will have us competing in Wimbledon anytime soon, it looks like a pretty nifty tool to practise that ace!
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