Google and Sherrin have teamed up to produce the GPS-enabled gBall
Google and AFL football maker Sherrin have created a football which fuses sports and online tracking technology.
Dubbed the gBall, it uses GPS and motion sensor technologies, with data interpreted by special algorithms to search for upcoming AFL talent.
Users can plug in their gBall online, and will be instantly provided with kicking tips, style suggestions and tutorials based on their data, which is also sent to national talent scouts and player agents.
Alan Noble, head of engineering at Google Australia, said: "Quite simply, this is the killer footy app."
"Google is no longer just searching for web results. We're searching for the next Buddy Franklin, Tony Lockett or Darren Jarman. We're thrilled to work with Sherrin to launch this incredible technology," Noble said.
The gBall's inbuilt GPS and motion sensor systems will monitor the location, force and torque of each kick.
Developed in Google's Sydney office, the data is interpreted by a new “curvilenear parabolic approximation” algorithm, known as Dimensional Elastic Non-Linear Network-Neutral Inertial Sequencing, or DENNIS, which plots the ball's trajectory, accuracy and distance.
The gBall will vibrate if talent scouts or player agents want to make contact with the user, and Google Maps can locate any missing balls.
Sherrin managing director Chris Lambert touted the new gBall as being the most technologically advanced in the world.
"The Sherrin-Google partnership is like meat pies and a beer – great on their own, but even better when put together at the footy,” Lambert said.
The gBall will be used in all school and amateur competitions and will go on sale to the public this weekend.
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