April 17, 2018 9:12 pm

Get the Scoop on the New World Cup Ball and VR Tech Sweeping Soccer on Playing with Science

UPDATED: To listen to the episode, scroll down…

On this episode of Playing with Science, we turn our attention towards the future of soccer. We explore some cutting-edge VR tech that is being used by some of the world’s best teams and we also get an in-depth review of the Telstar 18 – the new ball from Adidas being used at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice are joined by Beyond Sports CEO Jeffrey Saunders to discuss the impact and future of VR technology in soccer training. Beyond Sports specializes in using VR technology to enhance cognitive training. They also use VR to enhance the viewer’s experience of sporting events, like this past Sunday’s first VR broadcast of a live soccer match. As you’ll hear, the technology being used is giving a great advantage to players and fans alike.

After that, the good professor, John Eric Goff, is back on Playing with Science to break down the new FIFA World Cup Ball, the Telstar 18. Find our what Adidas has changed from the previous ball, whether it will greatly impact play, and if players are consulted in the creation of new balls. Eric also explains how he tested the new ball in a wind tunnel.

This is one of my favorite topics when the World Cup comes around. I admit, I get caught up in the extravagance: seeing the new kits, the new cleats, and the new ball.

Growing up in a soccer fanatic family, I’ve come to have favorites over the years. My favorite ball is the Fevernova ball used in the 2002 World Cup. My favorite boots are the Nike Mercurial Vapor III’s, worn by players during the 2006 World Cup. And last, but not least, my favorite kit, so far, are the early England kits from 66-70 – simple, effective, elegant. (What are your favorites? Share them in the comments to this post!)

If you’re interested in more soccer technology, check out Planet Soccer: Science and Technology where Chuck and Gary discuss more technology that’s shaping the game, alongside Alecko Eskandarian, NY Cosmos Assistant Coach and former 2-time MLS All-Star, and our favorite astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Please join us tomorrow night for 2018 Soccer Tech: Beyond Sports & Telstar 18 right here on our website, as well as on our Playing with Science channels on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and TuneIn. If you’re an All-Access subscriber, you can watch or listen to this episode ad-free.

That’s it for now. Keep Looking Up!
–Ian Mullen

UPDATE: Listen to the episode here: