Beijing – September 17, 2026 -- Orange Lion Sports, a company founded by Alibaba Group, unveiled Smartshot 2.0, an upgraded AI sports technology platform, at the Sports Services exhibition during the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), held September 9-13 in Beijing.
Six-camera Hawk-Eye system targets amateur tennis line-call disputes
The upgraded electronic line calling system uses a six-camera Hawk-Eye setup to deliver instant in/out calls on a large screen as soon as a ball lands, with adjustable audio announcements. The company positions the technology as a low-cost alternative for amateur tournaments that eliminates the need for additional line-judge labor.
AI auto-directing cuts broadcasting costs by hundreds of thousands of yuan
Smartshot 2.0's AI commentary and auto-directing capabilities reduce broadcast production expenses that the company says can otherwise reach hundreds of thousands of yuan, expanding access to high-quality sports coverage for smaller venues and events.
Voice-interactive ball machine debuts for personalized training
The platform introduced a voice-interactive smart ball machine that adjusts ball placement, speed and settings through natural-language commands, designed to work alongside Smartshot to build individualized training programs, particularly for beginner players.
Tongyi Qwen-powered assistant cuts tournament registration to minutes
Integrating Alibaba's Tongyi Qwen large language model, Smartshot launched what it calls the industry's first "AI Tournament Assistant" in the first half of 2026. The tool parses PDF regulations and natural-language instructions to complete scheduling and registration processes in minutes, with pricing set at one-tenth of comparable offerings, according to the company.
Peng Wei, CTO of Orange Lion Sports, said the company's technical philosophy centers on balancing precision and cost control while rejecting "expensive professional premiums" in favor of inclusive technology.
Smartshot expands to more than 500 courts across four overseas markets
Since its launch, Smartshot has been deployed across more than 500 courts, with installations extending into Europe, Australia, Hong Kong SAR, and the Taiwan region.