Technology-Fueled Winter Games Await in Icy Paradise (Winter Olympics)
At the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea, several new technologies and innovations were showcased, transforming the way the games were experienced.
Autonomous Robots and AI
LG's autonomous robots, in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, were introduced as a trial ahead of the games. These robots, capable of understanding Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese, roamed the floors of Incheon International Airport, assisting visitors by guiding them to their correct gates, restaurants, and shops. They also provided information about flight times using LG's voice recognition platform and information from the airport's central computer [6].
Similarly, an Airport Cleaning Robot was also deployed, capable of guiding itself around while detecting places that needed regular sprucing up [7].
Drones and Autonomous Displays
Intel, in partnership with the International Olympic Committee, showcased advances in autonomous drone coordination and control technology with a spectacular drone light show using 1,218 drones that formed the Olympic rings in the sky [1].
Broadcasting Innovations
South Korea became the first country to deploy a terrestrial ultra-high-definition (UHD) broadcasting standard (ATSC 3.0), enabling 4K broadcasts of the 2018 Winter Olympics. This transition marked a major innovation in broadcast quality and digital TV infrastructure [3].
5G Network Trials
Samsung spearheaded efforts to launch a temporary trial 5G mobile network during the Olympics. This trial aimed at showcasing next-generation mobile network capabilities, promising enhanced connectivity and lower latency for broadcasting and mobile services during the Games [2].
Mobility and Payment Innovations
Visa, as the exclusive payment technology partner, introduced advanced payment technologies enabling smoother cashless transactions for athletes, visitors, and consumers at Olympic venues. This innovation in mobility and financial technology integration at large-scale events was a significant highlight [5].
Augmented Reality and Interactive Broadcasting
Eurosport, the European broadcaster for the Winter Olympics, was testing cutting-edge tech such as Ultra High Definition content, athlete heart rate patches, and "ghost skier" technology. Spectators may also have been able to point their smartphone cameras at an athlete to see biographical information overlaid on the image [8].
KT, a South Korean telecoms company, was planning a 360-degree Live VR service for the 2018 Winter Olympics, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the action [4]. Additionally, KT was developing Hologram Live, a system that would allow athletes' interviews to be projected as holograms [9].
In summary, the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea highlighted advancements in autonomous drone displays, cutting-edge 4K UHD broadcasting via ATSC 3.0, 5G network trials for enhanced connectivity, and smart technology platforms and payment systems to improve mobility and user experience at the Games [1][2][3][4][5].
[1] - https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/09/intel-unveils-drone-light-show-for-pyeongchang-opening-ceremony.html [2] - https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-42937216 [3] - https://www.cnet.com/news/south-korea-to-broadcast-2018-winter-olympics-in-4k-uhd/ [4] - https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/09/kt-plans-360-degree-live-vr-service-for-2018-winter-olympics.html [5] - https://www.visa.com/about-visa/news/visa-announces-advanced-payment-technologies-for-2018-winter-olympics.html [6] - https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/09/lg-robot-guides-visitors-at-incheon-airport-ahead-of-winter-olympics.html [7] - https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/09/lg-robot-guides-visitors-at-incheon-airport-ahead-of-winter-olympics.html [8] - https://www.eurosport.com/winter-olympics/pyeongchang-2018/winter-olympics-2018-eurosport-announces-innovative-technology-for-coverage_sto6338937/story.shtml [9] - https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/09/kt-plans-hologram-live-system-for-2018-winter-olympics.html
- In the realm of sports, artificial intelligence was leveraged to create autonomous drone displays, showcasing coordination and control technology during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
- Beyond sports, technology advancements were also evident in the areas of artificial intelligence and 5G network trials, with both aimed at enhancing connectivity and the user experience during the games.
){kind=link}