The field hockey venue resembles a huge umbrella. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]

The iconic "Hangzhou Umbrella" at the Canal Sports Park Stadium in Gongshu district is set to host the 2023 National Women's Field Hockey Championship, part of the "Exciting Hangzhou" series.

This will be the first high-profile national-level event held at the field hockey venue since its completion for the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Field hockey is a team sport that combines speed, power, and tactical teamwork, making it highly entertaining to watch. It is one of the oldest and most respected sports in the Olympic Games.

The field hockey venue received a total investment of 339 million yuan ($48 million) and covers an area of approximately 13,000 square meters, with a unique design and striking appearance.

Today, when you arrive at 999 North Xueyuan Road in Gongshu, where the Canal Sports Park Stadium sits, the first thing that will catch your eye is a seemingly lightweight and elegant rooftop structure. With a maximum span of 120 meters, it resembles a giant tilted oil-paper umbrella, and the raised canopy perfectly shields nearly 5,000 seats arranged in a blue and white pattern. Although made of steel, the roof adopts a lightweight suspended structure concept, providing a pleasant microclimate.

Inside the venue, you'll find intelligent elements related to the Asian Games everywhere. Even a small elevator hides a cutting-edge technological feature that you might have never seen before.

Robot dog Xiaohu engages in a man-versus-machine battle. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]

Extend your finger and align it with the upward-pointing arrow in mid-air, and with a beep sound, the elevator doors open. Once you enter, point your finger towards the second floor, and the elevator starts moving upwards. The elevator buttons are integrated with medium-less holographic technology, allowing you to press the button in mid-air, achieving a truly "barrier-free" experience.

Leaving the elevator, a four-legged robot named Xiaohu stands ready in front of the goal, resembling a pet dog in its structure. With movements like crawling, small steps, and precise goalkeeping, the dog showcases its abilities powered by a large built-in lithium battery, while through automatic recognition and blocking of incoming shots, it can also engage in a thrilling man-versus-machine battle.

Another eagerly-anticipated presence is the guide dog robot Xiaoxi. It can perceive and identify the surrounding environment, intelligently plan routes and avoid obstacles, carry loads, and autonomously recharge. It aims to better serve visually-impaired athletes.

During the Hangzhou Asian Games, you can also engage in real-time interaction with the AI digital figure of mascot Chenchen inside the field hockey venue. In addition to providing event information and answering any field hockey-related questions you may have, Chenchen utilizes holographic projection technology to allow you to remotely operate a 3D model of the venue.

The Hangzhou Umbrella, with its remarkable design and incorporation of cutting-edge technologies, offers visitors a unique and unforgettable experience. As it hosts the national field hockey championship, it further solidifies its status as a technological marvel and a symbol of Hangzhou's spirit of innovation and sportsmanship.