TSG proudly present...The Footbonaut

They were all able to get an idea of what the Footbonaut is capable of. TSG first-team player Jiloan Hamad showed the possibilities that the training apparatus, which has been in use for three weeks, has to offer. Bernard Peters, director for sport and youth development at TSG, explained who trains in the Footbonaut and how Hoffenheim would like to expand the capabilities of the equipment in the future.

Everyone from the U12s, to the women's team and the men's Bundesliga players should profit from the equipment in the future. Training in the Footbonaut is very controllable and perhaps its most important function is that it can be adjusted to meet the exact needs of individual players. A great deal of data is collected, saved and analysed from a run. This allows the programmes to be continually developed and improved.

There was plenty of information for the journalists to soak in and they also experienced a real highlight – they got to have a go themselves. What Jiloan Hamad had made look easy was anything but. The stadium atmosphere, localising optical and audible signals, coordination, quick movement – everything had to be taken into consideration.

achtzehn99.de has some of the best pictures from the unveiling of the legendary Footbonaut.