NEW YORK — With technology corporation Intel becoming the 13th Olympic Games partner, Chief Executive Officer Brian Krzanich said the company, together with the International Olympic Committee, is “ushering in a new era of experiences fueled by technology.” Krzanich was joined on stage by IOC President Thomas Bach at the official unveiling of the seven-year partnership, which starts in 2018 at Pyeongchang.
“Cutting-edge technology provided by Intel will open up new possibilities for experiencing the Olympics in many ways and for many people,” said Bach, adding that it was a “perfect match when it comes to technology but also a perfect match when it comes to our our vision.”
Said Krzanich: “This has been like running a marathon and a hundred-yard dash at the same time getting here to this moment.
“It’s not about just technology…It’s about changing the experience and bringing an experience to more people and bringing a different experience to people.”
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Drones, virtual reality, Intel freeD 360-degree replay technology, 5G connectivity and artificial intelligence will all work in tandem to enhance that experience for networks, athletes, coaches and fans. Intel’s Krzanich called drones, in particular, “one of the funnest technology” integrations the company will have at the Olympics, both from an entertainment perspective but also to measure and observe athletes.
“Over the last 18 months, we’ve made incredible strides in improving this technology from an entertainment experience. We’ve put more drones and delivered more creativity than we ever thought, I think, possible,” he said.
Innovative drone technology is just one of the amazing things we hope to bring to the #Olympic Games as a Worldwide Partner. pic.twitter.com/x3a29m2974
— Intel (@intel) June 21, 2017
Intel’s drone technology has already been utilized on the bigger sports stage, such as when Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon used one during the most recent NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest or when pop singer Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl LI halftime show included a choreographed aerial drone performance.
Also, Krzanich said that through Intel True VR, the company’s rebranded virtual reality group following its Voke VR acquisition in 2016, 16 live events and 16 on-demand events will be broadcast via VR. Though the chief executive didn’t say which competitions specifically would leverage the technology, he did suggest that the “kinds of events we’re thinking about” include figure skating and ski jumping. With Intel True VR, it will be the first time a live virtual reality broadcast will be be produced from the Olympic Winter Games. To date, Intel has broadcast March Madness games in virtual reality while the company is in the midst of producing a MLB Game of the Week live, among other uses of VR.
“Sport cannot wait anymore, the people are coming to sport. Sport has to go where the people are. There are many young people that are living a digital life. We have to go with sport to where they’re living in their virtual world,” Bach said at the press conference.
“We’re engaging with world leaders in technology, like Intel, to drive the future of the Olympic Games.”
That innovation will also extend to Intel freeD or its 360-degree replay technology, similar to what was used by FOX during February’s Super Bowl to give fans an all-encompassing view of what’s occurring during a respective sporting event. As Krzanich explained, 38 high definition 5K cameras capture 3D plays from every angle throughout a stadium.
For the upcoming NFL season, the same technology will be installed at 12 stadiums and this past December, Intel partnered with a few LaLiga clubs to deploy its freeD technology within their arenas, too.