As I write this, we are moving into the second half of the Summer Olympics in Paris and I have been really enjoying the event. While the games are a showcase of the efforts of athletes and their teams, they are also a showcase of the technologies used at the Olympics. These Olympics technology are enhancing training, broadcasting and venue management. Have you noticed the 360 camera shots during games or images from the opening ceremony taken from Samsung phones along the Seine River?

This post going into some of the Olympics technology used at the games along with one technology that didn’t make it due to legal action!

1. Using 360 degrees Multi-Camera Replay Systems powered by Alibaba Cloud.

Alibaba’s cloud division is deploying AI-powered smart cameras to enhance broadcasts at the 2024 Paris Olympics. These cameras create dynamic, multi-angle replays and 3D models, offering broadcasters detailed views of the action. Collaborating with Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) since the 2020 Tokyo Games, Alibaba has provided cloud technologies to manage and distribute vast amounts of content.

For Paris, strategically placed AI-infused cameras will capture various points of action, leveraging machine learning and deep neural networks to follow athletes. This system, first used at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, was further tested at the skateboarding qualifiers in Shanghai. It will be used across 12 competitions, including volleyball, gymnastics and tennis with content available to broadcasters via OBS’s production system running on Alibaba Cloud.

The use of cloud Olympics technology also reduces the size and power requirement for the OBS equipment centre, helping the event become more sustainable.

2. Virtual Reality (VR) technology for Olympic

Australia’s Olympic swimmers are embracing virtual reality (VR) technology to boost their performance for the Paris Games in July. By using VR goggles, relay swimmers are fine-tuning their changeover times, crucial for clinching medals.

Quick relay changeovers, within 0.1 to 0.2 seconds, can shave significant time off the total team performance. After the national championships on the Gold Coast, the team held a relay camp where they introduced VR goggles equipped with 3D videos of their teammates finishing relay legs.

This technology enables swimmers to practice their timing, ensuring they leave the blocks at the optimal moment for a swift, legal changeover. Precise timing is essential, as swimmers must avoid disqualification by not leaving the blocks before their teammate touches the wall. This innovative approach aims to bring VR to sports and give the Australian team a competitive edge by perfecting their changeover technique.

3. Using 5G and Smartphones for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

A private 5G network has been installed along a 6km section of the Seine by the mobile network operator Orange for the opening ceremony (the first time an opening ceremony of the Olympic summer games will be held outside of a stadium).

A private 5G network is separate from networks used by the public with all functions and capacity dedicated to the requirement, similar to what is being deployed in industrial use cases like factories. The network will support over 200 Samsung S24 Ultra smartphones which will shoot footage of the ceremony. A similar solution is in place for the sailing at Marina de Marseille, along with other venues like Stade de France.

[Source: olympics.com]

4. Digital Twin Technology.

The Paris 2024 Olympics are set to showcase cutting-edge digital twin technology, developed in collaboration with OnePlan, to optimize Games planning, operations, and fan engagement. A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical asset, like an Olympic venue, created using real-time data streams. This technology enables enhanced collaboration, data access, and decision-making.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), along with Intel and other partners, has explored the potential of digital twins to streamline planning, improve sustainability, and reduce costs. By creating digital twins of Olympic venues, organizers can simulate various scenarios, conduct virtual training, and deliver immersive fan experiences, ensuring a more efficient and engaging Olympic Games.

[Source: OnePlan]

5. AI Surveillance Systems

At the Paris Olympics, advanced AI technology is to play an important role in security. French authorities, alongside private tech companies like Videtics and Orange Business, are deploying sophisticated AI-driven surveillance systems to manage the large influx of athletes and spectators. This technology will monitor real-time events, flagging potential security threats such as abandoned objects or unusual crowd behavior.

The AI systems are designed to enhance security by swiftly detecting and responding to potential issues. However, this increased surveillance has sparked debates about privacy and data protection. Critics argue that the use of AI for extensive video surveillance, which includes analysing biometric data, may infringe on privacy rights and contradict EU regulations. Despite these concerns, the French government maintains that AI Olympics technology will help ensure a safe and secure Olympic Games while adhering to legal frameworks.

6. Solar Power at the Aquatics Centre

The Aquatics Centre is one of the two permanent sports facilities built for the Paris Olympics. With the 5,000 square meter roof covered with photovoltaic panels, it will be one of France’s largest urban solar farms and supply all the energy that the centre needs.

Along with this, it includes a huge concave wooden framework, the size of which reduces the volume of air to be heated by 30%, and therefore energy requirements. The interior fittings use low-carbon materials or materials that have been recycled.

The pools will be kept at a constant temperature by recovering heat from the urban network, including a nearby data centre.

7. Spray on Shoes

Kenyan long-distance runner Hellen Obiri is turning heads at the Paris Olympics with her innovative footwear choice. She will be sporting the Cloudboom Strike LS, an advanced sneaker from Swiss brand On, which utilizes cutting-edge LightSpray technology.

This process involves a robotic arm that sprays thermoplastic polyurethane in a continuous stream, forming a seamless, lace-free shoe with a distinctive, bulbous sole for optimal impact absorption. Weighing just 158 grams (5.5 oz), these shoes are designed to enhance both speed and comfort. Although Obiri was initially doubtful about the unusual design, her impressive Boston Marathon victory proved the shoes’ effectiveness.

On’s rise in the sneaker world, driven by their unique CloudTec technology, highlights a shift in the market, contrasting with challenges faced by industry giants like Nike and Adidas. On’s innovative approach is reshaping athletic footwear and setting new standards in performance and design.

[Source: mossandfog.com]

8. Computer Vision

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Omega will deploy advanced computer vision technology to enhance precision in timekeeping and performance analysis. Utilizing 350 tons of state-of-the-art equipment, Omega will integrate approximately 900 cameras, each equipped with AI-driven capabilities, to monitor and record every detail of the Games.

These smart cameras, such as the Scan’O’Vision ULTIMATE, can capture up to 40,000 images per second, crucial for resolving close finishes in races. Omega’s computer vision systems will track athletes’ movements in sports like volleyball and tennis, providing real-time data on performance metrics without requiring wearable sensors. This Olympics technology will not only support judges but also offer viewers detailed insights into events, revolutionizing how Olympic sports are analyzed and presented.

9. First 8K Broadcasting

Intel will deliver it’s 8K over-the-top (OTT) streaming technology. Partnering with OBS, Intel will deliver the first live 8K broadcast of the Games, using advanced encoding and compression techniques. Their technology will compress raw 8K video feeds—originally 48Gbps—down to 40-60Mbps, a thousand-fold reduction, without sacrificing quality. This process involves Intel’s 5th Gen Xeon processors, which handle the encoding, and Intel Arc GPUs, which decode the streams.

The 8K feeds, captured in ultra-high definition with broadcast-grade cameras, will be displayed in stunning clarity on compatible 8K TVs worldwide. This leap in broadcasting technology aims to make 8K streaming more accessible and showcase the technology.

10. Anti-drone Tech

advanced anti-drone technology has been crucial for maintaining security. French law enforcement, backed by military forces and international police, has intercepted over 50 drones around Olympic venues. The French army has deployed 15 advanced anti-drone units equipped with radars, cameras, and jamming antennas, capable of neutralizing drones from miles away.

Additionally, anti-drone rifles have been used to disrupt radio signals or disable drones with lasers. Prior to the Games, the army conducted exercises to train personnel in using this technology. While many intercepted drones were harmless, such as those flown by enthusiasts seeking better views, these stringent measures highlight the emphasis on safety. During the opening ceremony, 45,000 police officers and 18,000 military personnel were deployed, reflecting the significant technological efforts to protect the event from potential drone threats.

And for the one that didn’t make it – Flying Taxis

I’ve been a bit fascinated by the advances in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology, with companies like Joby Aviation. These have been sometimes referred to as “flying taxis” which a use case of providing quick clean transportation across urban environments for a few people (like a taxi).

France’s Ministry of Transport had approved a floating vertiport on the River Seine for electric air taxi demonstrations during the Paris 2024 Olympics. This vertiport, a collaboration between eVTOL developer Volocopter and Groupe ADP, was granted operation until December 31, 2024. Located near Austerlitz railway station, it will host restricted operations with up to two flights per hour, totaling no more than 900 flights. This was going to be an opportunity to showcase eVTOL on the world stage.

The City of Paris and other organizations have legally challenging the French government’s authorization of helicopter taxis for the 2024 Olympics, calling it an “environmental aberration for the ultra-rich.” They aim to cancel the permit granted to Groupe ADP, arguing the project, though innovative, raises significant environmental concerns. I have been searching and I have not seen anything on eVTOL at the Olympics, so I suspect this initiative has been paused for now!

[Source: Volocity]

Edit: Looks like while they did get their plan to demo the eVTOL for Olympics,  some flights happened from 8th August and the original plan will happen later in the year.

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-08-08/volocopter-flies-evtol-aircraft-validation-mission-paris

References:

https://aibusiness.com/computer-vision/cloud-based-ai-cameras-power-dynamic-replays-at-2024-paris-olympics#close-modal

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/may/20/paris-olympics-australia-swim-team-vr-headsets-relay-practice

https://www.lightreading.com/5g/orange-spurns-slicing-and-opts-for-cisco-private-5g-at-olympics

https://olympics.com/ioc/news/the-potential-of-digital-twinning-to-drive-games-optimisation

https://theconversation.com/ai-mass-surveillance-at-paris-olympics-a-legal-scholar-on-the-security-boon-and-privacy-nightmare-233321

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/20/makers-of-spray-on-trainers-hoping-to-strike-gold-at-the-olympics

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2024-paris-olympics-security-drones-intercepted-5000-people-barred-from-games

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/21/sb-paris-taxis