Robot jockey announced ahead of this week’s Cheltenham Festival
Jockeys like Frankie Dettori and AP McCoy might not be quaking in their riding boots just yet. But bookmaker BetBright has unveiled the World’s first Robot Jockey ahead of this week’s Cheltenham Festival which it claims is capable of riding a horse and jumping fences.
Made from lightweight steel and using state of the art technology, the robot jockey can direct a horse to a gallop at more than 30 mph, jumping 4ft high fences and also communicating with humans through its Artificial Intelligence and built in voice.
The technological creation was commissioned by BetBright, following a report by renowned futurologist, Dr Pearson BSc DSc(hc), stating that robot jockeys who have the potential to compete with and even beat the best jockeys in the world could be possible by 2025.
BetBright Chairman and racehorse owner, Rich Ricci, was at the unveiling of the robot jockey to see how it matched up to world renowned jockeys.
“I was genuinely impressed with what the team was able to create in just 3 months, ” he says. “I had expected RoboJockey to be able to ride but I never expected it to be able to jump fences or talk to me about upcoming races. It will be fascinating to see how robotics and AI continue to evolve and the impact it will have in multiple sports.”
Adds Marcus Brennan, CEO of BetBright:
“Just as BetBright is using the latest technology and AI to enhance our customers’ experience, it is clear that future advancements in technology and AI will open a world of new possibilities for enhancing the sports themselves for the fans.
The robot jockey will be available for punters at Cheltenham Festival to view and interact with on Friday 16 March adjacent to the parade ring in BetBright’s activation area.
BetBright are the sponsors of the BetBright Cup at Cheltenham festival, a coveted trophy, awarded to the country with the greatest number of Cheltenham festival winners.
Irish horses ruled the Gloucestershire turf at last year’s festival, delivering the English contingent with a crushing 19–9 defeat, despite Great Britain starting the festival as favourites.
