Nissan scores with Pitch-R robot

The autonomous robot, dubbed Pitch-R, features a four-camera vision system, GPS location tracking and collision avoidance systems. Pitch-R can create fields for five-a-side, seven-a-side or 11-a-side teams on grass, tarmac or gravel in less than 20 minutes. 

Pitch-R is inspired by Nissan's advanced ProPILOT driver assistance technology, which is available on the new fully electric Nissan LEAF. 

"The UEFA Champions League features the best footballers in the world," said Roel De Vries, Nissan's corporate vice president for marketing and brand strategy.

"But all those star players started out like every kid – using jumpers for goalposts and chalk to mark lines wherever they could find open space to play the game they love."

Jean-Pierre Diernaz, Nissan Europe's vice president for marketing, said: "That's the passion which drove our design and engineering team to create Pitch-R. It injects the best of Nissan technology into an innovation which can benefit grassroots football and excite and engage young fans."