Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

This A.I. tool might make Pickleball players better, faster (but not stronger)

It tracks the movement of players, the trajectory of the ball, and other relevant aspects of the game

person showing pair of blue-and-white running shoes
Joan Azeka / Pexels

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been in the news almost constantly since the release of ChatGPT, a text-generating AI software developed by OpenAI in November 2022. Now, AI is making its way into sports, specifically pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in America.

If you haven’t heard about PB Vision (a new AI tool for pickleball players), we’ll give you the deets and explain how it might help you improve your game.

Aerial photo of pickleball courts in The Villages
TheVillagesFL / Wikimedia Commons

How can there be an AI tool for pickleball?

While AI is typically associated with tasks like language processing and content creation, developers are testing its potential applications in various domains, including sports.

Pickleball Vision AI LLC has found a way to apply AI technology to pickleball. Don’t worry; a robot won’t follow you around the pickleball court, hitting shots for you (yet). Instead, the AI tool is designed to assist players in analyzing their gameplay and providing valuable insights for improvement.

AI for Pickleball???

Here’s how PB Vision works

Grab a stationary camera (a smartphone on a tripod should work) and set it up to capture footage of your pickleball game. The camera should be at least four feet off the ground, and all four corners of the pickleball court should be visible in the frame.

Once you’ve finished playing and filming, upload your video to PB Vision. The company asks that you upload just one game at a time, as processing takes time and resources. The recommended video resolution is 1280×720 pixels.

The AI tool will then analyze your video using computer vision algorithms and machine learning techniques. It will track the movement of players, the trajectory of the ball, and other relevant aspects of the game.

@pickleballvision

Development update: The data is there, and it’s accurate 👍 Next phase, we trigger logic and gameplay feedback. We’re getting closer to this reality in all levels of #pickleball 😎 No special equipment required.#ai#machinelearning #computervision #pickleballtiktok pickleballislife@thedinkpickleball

♬ Chill Day – LAKEY INSPIRED

Could this AI tool make pickleball players better and faster?

The real answer to this question is: it depends. If you know the rules of pickleball, the terms used in the game, and how to analyze gameplay and interpret data (and can take a bit of constructive feedback), then the PB Vision AI tool has the potential to make you a better and faster pickleball player.

  • Identify your strengths and weaknesses. PB Vision tracks your gameplay and provides insights on things like serve accuracy, return of serve success rate, and winning percentage. This info can help you figure out what you’re good at and what you need to work on.
  • Analyze your opponents’ gameplay. PB Vision doesn’t just track your skills; it also tracks your opponents’. This info can help you develop strategies and adjust your game plan accordingly.
  • Improve your shot selection and placement. PB Vision analyzes the trajectory of your shots and provides feedback on shot selection and placement. This info can help you make better decisions about where to hit the ball and how to hit it.

Whether you know how to play pickleball or not, PB Vision can still be a valuable tool for learning the game and improving your skills. Plus, it’s free to use and accessible to anyone with a smartphone and an internet connection.

Editors' Recommendations

Tabitha Britt
Freelance Writer
Tabitha Britt is a freelance writer, editor, SEO & content strategist.
The 10 best snowboarding movies and documentaries to add to your watch list
Inside and cozy, and dreaming of snow
A snowboarder hits a park feature on their freestyle snowboard.

It's the season for stoke. This is one of our favorite parts of the snowboarding season, when the snow is just settling, and the excitement is rising inside us all. Snowboarders worldwide are pulling their beloved quiver out of storage and waxing it for winter. We're eyeing up lines, watching weather patterns, and laying out what tricks we'll dial in this winter.

And there's another way to build stoke; we can watch the biggest hitters in the business laying it down. Whether you're looking for inspiration to get you psyched or making yourself a must-watch list for those long winter nights while you service your snowboard or get all cozy while your boots dry out from another rad day, there are some films, documentaries, and series you have to watch.

Read more
This is the perfect 4 course apres ski dinner menu
Yeah, you'll pass out afterward, don't worry
Friends eating around table

The term après-ski, made popular in the Alps during the 1950s, brings with it a certain air of sophistication and expectation. Gorgeously furnished, rusticly chic mountain lodges, complete with roaring fires and expensive cocktails, come to mind. The faintest sound of Sinatra crooning from well-placed hidden sound systems, clinking glassware, and lilting laughter coming from tables full of old friends and older money seems to be the very soundtrack of the term après-ski.
Of course, with this ambiance comes beautiful cuisine. What is après-ski without perfect dishes? Dishes that must be elegant yet satisfyingly hearty to the youthful yet exhausted skier or snowboarder. Dishes that - if prepared by yourself and not the personal chef - must be simple enough to make with a glass of wine in one hand and friends gathered in the kitchen.
This is the perfect après-ski menu for just such an occasion. These four courses are balanced, comforting, and elegant, perfect after a day on the mountain.

Poutine recipe
Is it indulgent? Yes. Do you deserve it? Also, yes.

Read more
Lace up the boots and hit the trail with these winter season hiking tips
Stay dry, warm, and safe with these winter hiking tips
winter camping hiking snow backpack gear

When the temperatures dip, the spectacular autumn foliage fades, and the trees are bare, winter is right around the corner. It doesn't mean you need to push the hiking boots to the back of the closet, though. Winter can be a fantastic season to be outdoors and the perfect time of the year to go hiking. Of course, winter hiking is a bit different than lacing up the boots for, say, a fall or spring hike. So, pack these winter hiking essentials for a scenic adventure and discover the wonders of a cold-weather hike.

Winter hiking tips
The key to a successful winter hike is preparation. Hiking supplies for a cold weather hike differ from packing for other season hikes. Dressing correctly for the changing temperatures you encounter during a winter day is vital, as is being prepared for an emergency. Before heading out on a trail in winter, be sure to keep these winter hiking tips close at hand.
Stay warm and dry
You want to be cozy when heading outdoors in the cold, but the most essential rule of winter hiking is to stay dry. Wet and cold is a dangerous combination when hiking in the winter. So, make sure your hiking boots and gear are water-resistant. You also don't want to overdress. Remember how mom sent you out into the snow dressed like the marshmallow puff man? Avoid the temptation.

Read more