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Revolutionizing Football: Chicago-Based Monarc's Robotic Quarterback is Transforming How Teams Train and Compete

By Tom Barnas
9/4/2024

Chicago natives and Northwestern University graduates, Igor Karlicic and Bhargav Maganti, have brought their groundbreaking sports robotics company, Monarc, back home to the Windy City. Monarc is revolutionizing football with its creation, The Seeker—the world’s first robotic quarterback, ushering in a new era of offensive innovation across college football.

In recent years, a growing number of NCAA football programs—nearly half of the 68 teams within the Power Four conferences—have adopted The Seeker. This robotic quarterback has become an essential tool for increasing practice reps, honing player skills, and tracking performance. Among the top-tier programs utilizing The Seeker to elevate their game are Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, TCU, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Oregon State.

The Seeker’s versatility has also captured the attention of NFL stars like George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers and Hunter Henry of the New England Patriots, both of whom are early investors in the company.

What sets The Seeker apart is its ability to automate practice sessions and enable players to train independently—a groundbreaking development in football. The robot can deliver footballs as passes, punts, or kicks to any predefined point on the field using a simple touchscreen interface. It also tracks players’ movements, providing them with unlimited, game-like reps without additional strain on their quarterbacks.

With six motors and a six-ball magazine, The Seeker offers minimal reload time, firing six balls to various body positions in just nine seconds. Its wheeled frame ensures easy mobility, and it operates in two main modes: manual and robotic.

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