Artificial intelligence (AI) has continued to find new avenues of success over the past several years, guided by innovation that has significantly improved how it can interact with individuals. The COVID-19 saga has increased the need for AI-based solutions to help the world stay focused while in quarantine or otherwise shut off from human contact. Budding athletes with dreams of one day making it in the big leagues have found those dreams dashed, no longer able to access practices or coaches. Fortunately, there’s an app for that. Enter an AI-based coach, Mustard. 

Mustard is a sports technology solution that uses AI to help athletes improve their game, starting with baseball. According to the app’s developers, Mustard can analyze an athlete’s movements and offer suggestions on what needs to be changed to make improvements. While it has launched in beta mode for baseball, it will soon be adding a golf component before moving into football, which will come thanks to the involvement of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and professional football coach Tom House. 

According to users, it actually works. Eddie McCartney is one of those who stands behind the app. He is a 14-year-old aspiring baseball pitcher who began using Mustard two months ago. However, he admits that it has already helped him with his motion and mechanics. What makes the app even better is that it only needs a smartphone (so it can take advantage of the camera) and it’s completely free to use. 

Mustard co-founder and CEO Rocky Collis, who is also a former minor league baseball pitcher, explains, “There is not a product out like it now. This is one of the world’s all-time great coaches giving you personalized lesson plans automatically and immediately. The technology works from every camera angle… We are essentially taking what Tom House does with Nolan Ryan and Drew Brees and making it available to kids all over the world.”