Sacramento Kings app lets you hail an Uber and talk to a chat bot

The NBA’s Sacramento Kings are getting a new mobile app to go with their new basketball arena, the Golden 1 Center.

The app will serve as a fan’s “remote control” for the high-tech arena, which cost $534 million to build and opens on October 1. The iOS and Google Play app gives fans all of the traditional updates on the team and arena information. In a professional-sports-team first, KAI (Kings Artificial Intelligence) — the team’s intelligent messaging chatbot powered by JiffyBots— will be featured in the app to answer questions about the team and venue.

The app, which will be available later today, came from a partnership with Built.io, and M&C Saatchi LA designed the experience. It gives you access to real-time information and offers personalized access.

“No other arena will provide fans and guests with real-time information and extreme customer service like Golden 1 Center,” said Kings owner and chairman Vivek Ranadive, in a statement. “This new app will be the fans’ remote control for the world’s most advanced arena, allowing them to customize and take control of their experience and engage with the team like never before.”

New app features focus on enhancing the guest experience by including information about transportation and parking, arena line queuing, and access to advanced game metrics, exclusive video angles, and more. The app will also feature an advanced gaming platform for fans to make predictions and compete against one another in real time.

Behind the scenes, the app’s backend runs 1,500 automations per game across 10 unique application program interfaces, ranging from the NBA to Urban Airship to PubNub. This synchronizes a real-time experience with up-to-the-moment scores, play-by-play info, shot-chart details, team and player stats, and more. For instance, an integration with Ticketmaster lets fans view and manage their tickets inside the app. Fans can also browse the Kings and Golden 1 Center schedules to buy tickets for games, concerts, or shows.

“No other app delivers as much real-time information and on-demand access like the Kings + Golden 1 Center App,” said Built.io CEO Neha Sampat, in a statement. “It’s a great industry example of how best-of-breed technologies and services can be integrated to deliver an unprecedented user experience. We’re thrilled to partner with a team that prioritizes advanced technology and delivers unique solutions directly to their fans.”

Fans can access real-time information about transit options. You can order a Uber, purchase parking, and find other downtown Sacramento information. Fans can also use the app to get to the right seat. You can find out if the line is long at the concessions or if you have to wait to use the nearby restroom. Just like with the San Francisco 49ers app, you can purchase food from your seat. You can view multi-angle replays and livestreams as well.

The new Kings app will also feature an integration from Lava, a cloud-based customer engagement platform that utilizes machine learning to provide fans with hyper-personalized experiences. By using the app and coming to games, fans will be eligible for these tailored offers and rewards based on their activity within the app and at the arena.

Above: The Sacramento Kings app.

Image Credit: Sacramento Kings