In an attempt to refine tackling techniques without risk to their offensive players, the Pittsburgh Steelers have started using robotic tackling dummies
Dartmouth football head coach Buddy Teevens gained some notoriety when people discovered his program had banned tackling one another, and instead started taking down a robotic tackling dummy. The team improved their tackling by leaps and bounds, and now the technology created at the University’s Thayer School of Engineering has made its way to the NFL.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have started their offseason programs with a new teammate as they are experimenting with the use of the Mobile Virtual Player (or MVP). The hope is that they can fully implement the technology by 2017 should everything go as planned.
"“I am always interested in ways to utilize technology in terms of teaching football,” said Tomlin per the Steelers website. “We are excited to get a close look at it. … It never gets tired. It runs at an appropriate speed. All of the position groups are getting an opportunity to use it.”"
At just under 6-foot tall, the machine weighs 200 pounds and can run a 40-yard dash in less than five seconds. The dummy can help defenders deal with taking the correct angles as it can cut, weave, stop and start like a running back.
It will be interesting to see if other NFL teams start to utilize the MVP.
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