#China #Beijing #Orange Lion Sports #Smartshot 2.0 #AI Tournament Assistant

Orange Lion Sports Unveils Smartshot 2.0 at CIFTIS 2026

In a significant advancement for sports technology, Orange Lion Sports, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group, introduced its cutting-edge AI sports solution, Smartshot 2.0, at the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) held in Beijing from September 9-13. This upgraded system aims to make sports more accessible and fair through innovative technology.

An Inclusive Approach to Sports

The centerpiece of the unveiling was the new electronic line calling system featuring six cameras integrated with AI capabilities, designed to eliminate disputes over line calls in tennis. This innovative solution provides instant feedback on ball landings, instantly announcing whether the shot was in or out with volume adjustments for better clarity. This initiative promises to enhance amateur tennis events, ensuring smoother and fairer gameplay without the need for additional referees.

Moreover, Smartshot 2.0 includes an AI-powered auto-director that significantly reduces broadcasting costs, making high-quality sports broadcasts more accessible to various audiences. The integration of AI in sports coaching through advanced robotic technologies demonstrates Orange Lion’s commitment to bridging the gap between professional sports and mass participation.

Personalized Training Solutions

Orange Lion Sports is not stopping at broadcasting. They envision a future where Smartshot interacts with users through natural language, allowing training setups such as ball speed and placement to be tailored specifically for each athlete's needs. This personalized training program aims to facilitate better learning experiences, especially for beginners.

Adding to this, the newly integrated "AI Tournament Assistant," built using Alibaba's Tongyi Qwen large language model, further streamlines tournament organization. This assistant is capable of interpreting natural language commands, quickly managing scheduling and registration processes that would typically take much longer.

A Commitment to Cost-effective Technology

The pricing strategy for Smartshot 2.0 is remarkable, touted to be just one-tenth of the cost of similar offerings on the market. CTO of Orange Lion Sports, Peng Wei, emphasized their approach to balance quality with affordability, aiming to eliminate the high costs typically associated with professional-grade technology. They refuse to adhere to expensive professional premiums in favor of creating broader accessibility through cost-effective innovations.

Global Expansion and Future Prospects

Since its initial rollout, Smartshot has already been implemented in over 500 courts worldwide, with expansions into markets such as Europe, Australia, and Hong Kong SAR. The focus on making state-of-the-art smart equipment more available across various demographics reflects Orange Lion Sports' mission to redefine competitive sports by leveraging the latest advancements in AI technology.

As the landscape of sports continues to evolve, the introduction of Smartshot 2.0 at CIFTIS 2026 showcases a promising step toward enhancing fairness, accessibility, and overall engagement in sports. Orange Lion Sports is well-positioned to lead this transformation in the sports industry, continually pushing the boundaries of what AI can accomplish in enhancing athletic competition and participation.