The initiative, developed by startup Easyball as part of the Valencia Urban Sandbox, will be tested over a six-month period to assess its usability, durability and viability as a new public service model.

Up to 10 smart lockers will be installed at sports facilities across the city, enabling users to access sports equipment independently.

The Valencia City Council, through the Innovation Department and in collaboration with the Municipal Sports Foundation, has launched a new pilot project as part of the Valencia Urban Sandbox, the city’s testing environment that enables innovative solutions to be trialled under real-life conditions. In partnership with startup Easyball, the project will introduce an autonomous sports equipment rental service through the installation of smart lockers in public sports facilities across the city.

The initiative includes the deployment of up to ten smart locker units at different sports venues, particularly at unattended facilities, with the aim of providing citizens with simple, autonomous and secure access to sports equipment.

The lockers are powered by solar panels, allowing them to operate without a conventional electricity connection. Users will access the service through a mobile application, where they will be able to manage both the rental and return of sports equipment.

Six-month trial

The pilot will run for six months, during which the durability of the lockers under continuous use will be assessed, potential issues identified and the most effective solutions evaluated. The trial will also examine the viability of the business model underpinning this innovative service.

Paula Llobet, Councillor for Innovation, said: “This project is another step forward in València’s commitment to becoming a smart city that serves its people. We want to make sport more accessible through sustainable technological solutions that respond to new ways of using public spaces.”

She added: “The smart lockers not only improve access to sports equipment, but also help optimise resources and promote a more efficient and autonomous model for managing municipal sports facilities.”

Through this initiative, the Valencia City Council reinforces its commitment to urban innovation, sustainability and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, while continuing to strengthen collaboration with the local entrepreneurial ecosystem through the Valencia Urban Sandbox.