Washington (AFP) - New padded robots operated by remote control are being used by the Pittsburgh Steelers in off-season workouts with more available to NFL teams next year if experimental tests work out.
The Mobile Virtual Player -- dummies on wheels that can weave, change direction, speed up and stop -- are being used as far more than simulated tackling surrogates by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who has them testing receivers and rushers in training.
"It's an awesome piece of football technology," Tomlin said in a posting on the club website. "I am always interested in ways to utilize technology in terms of teaching football.