Rakuten Optimism 2024

Tech Meets Play for "A BETTER FUTURE TOGETHER"

From August 1 to 4, 2024, Rakuten Group hosted "Future Festival" as a central component of its experiential event "Rakuten Optimism" at Tokyo Big Sight. This festival presented numerous innovative exhibits that offered visitors a captivating glimpse into "a near future." Specifically, the "Sports for Everyone" booth provided engaging content aimed at realizing a society where anyone can enjoy sports, aligning with the overarching theme of "Powered by Sports. Playing for All. A BETTER FUTURE TOGETHER."

Among these offerings, the "Sports Challenge" content proved highly popular. This interactive game allowed participants to compete for points against athlete avatars. Many visitors, particularly families, thoroughly enjoyed playing against avatars representing prominent figures such as Rakuten Eagles player Asamura, Rakuten Monkeys player Lin Li, and Vissel Kobe player Maekawa.

Rakuten Group also provided a unique "Tandem Cycling" experience. Operating a two-person bicycle, this sport is particularly enjoyable for visually impaired individuals. By having the front rider wear an eye mask and navigate in a simulated blind state, participants were able to hone their senses other than sight and truly appreciate the depth of a sport that demands seamless coordination with a partner. Furthermore, an innovative service was offered where AI generated personalized sports newspaper-style articles, incorporating specific details of each participant's experience, in real-time.

Ultimately, "Future Festival" powerfully showcased the immense potential for technology to make sports more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. It became a significant event that provided visitors with a valuable opportunity to consider new and inclusive ways of engaging with the future of sports.

*All player information is as of the time of the event.