Kings Lab

Kyle Ramos

On Friday, the Sacramento Kings in partnership with JiffyBots, introduced its Facebook Messenger bot.

Kai, which is an acronym for Kings Artificial Intelligence, will be able to answer a wide range of questions, such as info about Sacramento’s roster, stats, Golden 1 Center details, franchise history and more.

In addition, Kai will present users with a unique one-on-one chat experience that will evolve with each correspondence.

Get to know Kai by clicking the below box!

introducing-kings-artificial-intelligence

Introducing Kings Artificial Intelligence

Talking and listening to fans are important aspects for NBA teams, and now the Kings will be the first in the NBA to take those components to the next technological level.

Taylor Soper of GeekWire recently reported that the Kings have partnered with a startup organization called JiffyBots to incorporate their chatbot technology to communicate with fans about Golden 1 Center.

According to Soper, these chatbots use “artificial intelligence and natural language processing to understand what people need and want.”

These bots will interact with fans to provide them with various information about the new downtown arena.

The NBA just recently launched a chatbot feature through Facebook’s Messenger application to create an easy way for fans to view highlights during the NBA Finals.

Additional organizations such as Facebook, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have also begun developing similar applications with chatbot technology, Soper noted.

“It’s about personalizing the fan experience and strengthening that bond,” Kings Chief Technology Officer Ryan Montoya told GeekWire.

The chatbots will be implemented leading up to the 2016-17 season, beginning with providing updates via Facebook Messanger about the soon-to-be-opened Golden 1 Center.

“Throughout the entire process designing this arena, we’ve always thought about how we remove friction and barriers from the fan experience,” Montoya said to GeekWire. “With the bot, we’re able to do that with efficient conversations with fans.”

To read the full article from GeekWire, click here.

kings-to-become-first-nba-team-to-utilize-chatbots

Kings to Become First NBA Team to Utilize Chatbots

As the date draws near for the opening of the brand new Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento, the anticipation continues to grow for the unveiling of an arena that will be unlike any other.

David Pierce of Wired Magazine recently released a story detailing some of the major innovations that are being incorporated into Golden 1 Center – including a 4K video board, an ultra-interactive app for fans to use during events, and a massive amount of connectivity within the building.

Besides the current plans that are in place to make Golden 1 Center the highest standard for modern day technology, Pierce discusses how Kings Owner and Chariman Vivek Ranadivé wants to ensure that the arena will also be prepared for updates in the future. Ranadivé compared Golden 1 Center to Tesla, a motor vehicle company that has built a reputation for its savvy technological advances.

“Every single night, your Tesla [vehicle] updates,” said Ranadivé. “So we need to have that same philosophy when it comes to our arena: every single night, the arena updates and improves itself.”

Pierce continued with his praise of the future home of the Kings, reinforcing his belief that it will be the premiere arena for technology.

“The ‘highest-tech stadium’ is an award no one ever gets to keep for long, but the Kings are definitely going to get it for a while,” Pierce said.

To read the full article from Wired, click here.

golden-1-center-highest-tech-stadium-in-sports

Golden 1 Center: ‘Highest-tech Stadium in Sports’

Tracee Jay

The Kings want to celebrate the last game at Sleep Train Arena by utilizing all of the moments you, the fans, have captured through the years inside the friendly confines of the team's home venue.

Using VidMob App, we are now accepting submissions for photos and videos of your favorite memories from Sleep Train Arena. Show us your first game, your 100th game, or even that time you high-fived a fellow fan in the concourse! We want YOU to tell the story of this great building we’ve called home for nearly 30 years.

Use the link below, download the VidMob app on your iOS device, and send us your favorite captured moments in the arena by selecting "add media." On April 9th for our final game, we will unveil the video that you all helped create!

To download the App and begin uploading media, click here.

showcase-your-arena-moments-with-vidmob

Showcase Your Arena Moments with VidMob

nbaplatformservices

Kings 4K Ultra HD Center-Hung Video Board

kings-4k-ultra-hd-center-hung-video-board

sacjwise

Utilizing Facebook's 360-degree video capability and the Ricoh Theta camera, the Sacramento Kings became one of the first NBA teams to activate a 360-degree video online.

Prior to tip-off of Tuesday's game against the Houston Rockets, the Ricoh Theta camera was placed court side during the team's warmups.

Whether it is Rudy Gay hoisting jumpers from the baseline or fans snapping pictures from the sideline, the video allows fans to see a multitude of in-arena elements and angles, even though the video is just one-minute long.

Check out the complete 360-degree experience below and stay tuned for more from the #KingsLab! From your computer, you can click to drag around in any direction while the video is playing. Smartphone or tablet users can move their device around while viewing the video from Facebook.

To learn more about the #KingsLab, click here.

kings-test-360-degree-video

Kings Test 360-Degree Video

Katie Cracchiolo

Recently, the Sacramento Kings announced an investment in virtual reality leader VOKE. The media company uses its proprietary camera to distribute a 180-degree view of a given event through an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. The mechanism features six cameras that stitch together seamlessly to provide an undistorted full-width view.

Originally tested by the organization at 2015 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and in two preseason home games, use of the new technology demonstrates the team's ongoing commitment to enhance the fan experience — not only in-arena — but across the globe.

“Around the world, there are fans who may never have the chance to be a part of the spectacle of NBA basketball,” said Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé.

In partnership with Sacramento Kings Foundation, NBA India and Kaiser Permanente, VR was utilized to provide a feed of Sacramento's first regular season game against the L.A. Clippers to fans in-arena, in Dhirubai Ambani International School in Mumbai, India, and at Kaiser Permanente Women and Children’s Center in Roseville, Calf.

The broadcast allowed Kings fans to experience the in-arena excitement in real time courtside.

“Through technology,” Ranadivé added, “we’ll connect with emerging fans, find new ones and provide a truly unique experience.”

fans-watch-kings-in-vr

Fans Watch Kings in VR

The Sacramento Kings have launched an NBA-first account on Kik — one of the world’s largest mobile messaging platforms.

From navigating team-related blogs and photos to trivia and more, there are a multitude of ways to connect with the Kings on Kik.

Test your hoops knowledge with team trivia, plus get updates about the Draft and Summer League!