Ever since basketball was invented, shooters have had to contend with taller opponents trying to block their shots. But it's been hard to teach a player how to shoot over a defender because there may not be anybody who can effectively mimic the shot-blocker in practice.
Coaches have resorted to rudimentary replacements, like brooms held high in the air, but those may not work that well.
Now, two Georgia entrepreneurs believe they've developed a solution: Blockoman.
Blocko is a life-size, battery-powered robotic basketball player controlled by wireless remote who can move his arms up or out to swat shots or disrupt dribbling. Moving on hidden wheels to cover an offensive player, he sports a mean look and can even do a little trash-talking.
Inventors Earl Bouse and Franky Reaves, whose five-employee company is based in Dahlonega, plan a rollout in Atlanta with a Sept. 17 event to which they've invited coaches and players to build buzz.
A freelance TV sports cameraman, Reaves came up with the idea while watching practices. One day, he mentioned it to his friend, Bouse, a self-described "old technology guy" who had limited knowledge of sports, but who knew how to build a robot.
A year and a half and six versions later, they'll hit the market at a price of $7,495. They plan to target high school and college programs and training facilities.
Sonny Smith, a retired men's basketball coach who led Auburn among other programs, said, "I think it can be a great addition to anybody's practices. The robotic part of this is a great thing."
Smith thinks Blockoman can help players who play near the basket as well as three-point shooters.
"It looks like they have something unique," said Jeff Reed, owner of KBACoach.com, an Internet retailer that sells mainly basketball training equipment. He said his concern is the product's price.
Bouse said, "We think it's an affordable product."
The partners, who've financed the project themselves, hope to sell 125 units a month in the first year and plan to concentrate on the Southeast initially. Assembly is being done in Dahlonega.
"This thing is lifelike," Reaves said. "He looks menacing, but that was the idea: to be intimidating."
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