The Indian Premier League (IPL) has taken its broadcasting to the next level by introducing an AI-powered robotic dog, Champak, which has quickly gained popularity among both players and fans. Champak, a mechanical dog equipped with a camera, was unveiled before the match between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians on April 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Danny Morrison introduced the robot dog, showcasing its impressive abilities, including running, jumping, responding to voice commands, and even drawing a heart shape with its front limbs. The interaction between players such as Hardik Pandya, Reece Topley, and Delhi Capitals’ captain Axar Patel, and the robot dog was captured in a fun video that quickly went viral.
The IPL even invited fans to name the robotic canine, and after receiving numerous votes, it was named Champak. The dog has since become a regular feature of the broadcast team, providing dynamic visuals from a unique “dog’s eye” view of the game. This allows fans to experience the action in an exciting new way, with the robot’s camera offering creative angles along the sidelines and pitch perimeter.
In one memorable moment during the Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings match, MS Dhoni, known for his love of dogs, playfully interacted with the robot, lifting it up and even carrying it off the field, much to the fans’ delight.
Champak, covered in a brown fur-like print and with a camera in place of a face, offers a fresh and engaging perspective on the game, similar to the action cameras used by GoPro. The robot dog draws inspiration from Boston Dynamics’ quadruped robots, commonly used in military and industrial applications, with this version being a fun and lighthearted adaptation for cricket fans.
If you haven’t seen Champak yet, be sure to tune in to the upcoming Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals match on April 22 at 5pm Kabul time, live on Ariana Television. The robot dog will likely make another appearance, adding a new level of excitement to the broadcast.
