Ahh, bowling. The sport that seems to polarize like no other - you either love it or you hate it.
For a sport that is now on the fringes of the sport world, it is often the object of attempts to bring it back into the mainstream. After the introduction of automatic scoring machines, animated scoreboards followed. Then there was the advent of glow in the dark, neon cosmic bowling.
Now, enter the remote controlled bowling ball. It weighs in at 14 pounds and comes complete with lights, a recharging port and a handheld, remote control unit. It only comes with two finger holes and it’s recommended that the ball be rolled down a ramp as opposed to thrown, as this makes it easier to switch over to the controller. It costs $1500 but you can lease one for $140 a month for a year.
As someone who’s put more than a couple of blisters on his fingers while bowling, I’m not sure if I like this or not. But, I guess that’s for the market to decide.
What's Driving This Trend
- Remote Controlled Bowling Ball
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for bowling alley owners to attract a tech-savvy audience and provide a unique bowling experience.
- Interactive Bowling Technology
- Opportunity for technology companies to develop immersive and interactive bowling experiences for players.
- Bowling Ball Accessibility
- Potential for inclusive design and innovation in bowling equipment to make it easier for people with mobility limitations to participate in the sport.
Who This Affects Most
- Entertainment
- Opportunity for entertainment companies to incorporate remote controlled bowling balls into their offerings, creating a new form of interactive entertainment.
- Sports Equipment
- Opportunity for sports equipment manufacturers to create innovative bowling balls with built-in technology for remote control and enhanced gameplay.
- Leisure and Recreation
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for leisure and recreation venues to offer remote controlled bowling balls as a unique and interactive activity for visitors.
