This summer, much of the world watched in awe as the best athletes in the world competed for Olympic gold. Due to advances in technology – specifically the Internet of Things – people were able to broaden their view of the Olympics more than ever before.
The expanded coverage started with NBC Sports launching a mobile app. This app gave viewers the power to watch every event in real time. To make things even better, the Olympic committee made sure that this year’s events were equipped with advanced sensors, cameras and viewing displays that would provide viewers with up-to-the-minute information about scores and other event coverage.
Once the games began, NBC updated their app to allow users to watch events in real time (rather than only highlights of completed events). Users also had the option to watch individual events or tune into the Gold Zone channel, where they could watch four events at the same time. Access was so advanced that users could pick which event to watch, like gymnastics, and then choose to focus on a specific gymnastic event, such as vault or floor.
New, more sophisticated sensors were able to track the athletes in ways never implemented before.
For example:
- Sensors in the pools were accurate enough that a swimmer’s progress was updated every time he or she touched the wall of the pool.
- Omega Scan ‘O’ Vision MYRIA cameras provided unparalleled views of event results, ensuring finishes were accurate.
- Sophisticated sensors were placed under traditional archery targets for more accurate measurements.
The Internet of Things isn’t just changing the way we live – it’s also changing the way the world’s best athletes are measured and shown around the world. Exciting times for IoT technology!