A smart vehicle flock navigation system includes a plurality of smart vehicles configured to follow a leader smart vehicle, wherein the leader smart vehicle is configured to follow a target vehicle or a target driving plan; each smart vehicle being equipped with: obstacle detection and avoidance capabilities; vehicle-to-vehicle communication means for transmitting information about obstacles and evasive actions to following smart vehicles; a flock control module for adjusting the driving path of the smart vehicle flock based on transmitted obstacle information; a flocking behavior algorithm based on three independent rules: Separation, Alignment, and Cohesion, controlling the motion of each smart vehicle within the flock; and a distributed flocking operation mechanism utilizing wireless network communication for coordinating the behavior of the smart vehicle flock.

The present invention relates to sports balls. A sports ball comprises a surface layer comprising a plurality of panels. The sports ball further comprises a lattice structure extending below the surface layer, wherein the lattice structure comprises a plurality of lattice cells comprising radially extending elements. The lattice cells which are adjacent to the surface layer have at least one dimension which is smaller than an average diameter of the panels.

An Internet of Thing (IoT) device includes a body with a processor, a camera and a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor.

Systems and methods for tracking a sports ball assembly in real time during a sporting event are disclosed. A structure of the sports ball assembly is also disclosed. The sports ball assembly comprises at least one electronic circuit embedded or attached to a sports ball. The sports ball assembly is in network communication with a server processor via at least two receivers within a sports arena. The sports ball assembly generates and transmits UWB data packets comprising movement-related data for the sports ball assembly in real time at a predetermined rate. The at least two receivers receive the UWB data packets and transmit to the server processor with time stamps. The server processor is operable to determine a movement of the sports ball assembly based on the UWB data packets and the time stamps received from the at least two receivers.

A device has a lightweight inner bladder and an outer layer that covers the inner bladder. The inner bladder bunches up, crunches, becomes pleated, folded or the like against the inner surface of the outer layer. The bunched up surface of the inner bladder may be flattened and/or reconfigured upon impact, thereby absorbing energy. The bunched up inner bladder may create an uneven surface on the outer layer thereby altering the manner through which the device travels through the air. The device may be configured for any of a variety of sports or games such as, for example, a simulated soccer ball, football, rugby ball, baseball and/or softball, a tennis ball, a beachball or other oversized ball, a golf ball, a flying disc, a weighted punching bag, or any of a wide variety of devices for play and/or training.

A sports performance sensor for an implement used in sports, such as a bat or baseball. The implement, e.g. the bat or baseball, is formed with an area inside that can include circuitry. The circuitry can measure rotation acceleration, and speed. The outer surface of this device has pressure sensing fabric, which senses location and pressure on the outer surface. This can form a pressure map of where the user's fingers are touching the outer surface. The information from the user's performance in using the device are transmitted to an external computer such as a phone which creates a pressure sensing map. This pressure sensing map can then be compared to data from either the same user at a different time or from other users. This can be specific to different actions, for example it can be specific to the user throwing a specific kind of pitch, or the user carrying out a specific operation such as swinging a bat to hit a specific kind of pitch.

A method for manufacturing an article that records a holographic image when photographed or videotaped but otherwise not visible to the naked eye. The article, such as a basketball, includes at least a layer of polyurethane leather that is reflective and is illuminated on photographic media when imaged. The illuminated or holographic image may be seen and displayed on a digital device, such as a social media platform.

A non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon logic is disclosed. The logic is executable by one or more processors to perform operations including receiving information associated with a selection of a first training drill, responsive to receiving the information associated with the selection of the first training drill and based on the first training drill, causing a first light to be placed in an activated state, wherein the first light is coupled to a first goal apparatus, and responsive to a triggering event, causing the first light to be placed in a deactivated state and causing a second light to be placed in an activated state. The goal apparatus includes posts that form a goal plane, wherein a first sensor pair is coupled to the goal, and wherein the triggering event is a detection of an object passing through the posts and across the goal plane.

A method for manufacturing an article that records a holographic image when photographed or videotaped but otherwise not visible to the naked eye. The article, such as a basketball, includes at least a layer of polyurethane leather that is reflective and is illuminated on photographic media when imaged. The illuminated or holographic image may be seen and displayed on a digital device, such as a social media platform.

An apparatus for a ball stowable support is provided. The apparatus includes a frame, an elastic cover secured to the frame, and at least one leg supporting the frame. Each leg of the at least one leg has an opening. The opening is configured to retain a ball.