Technology is altering the way we experience sports at every level. In 2018, the PyeongChang Winter Olympics plans to follow this trend.
On May 13, the South Korean government announced its plans to implement technological advancements for the 2018 Winter Games. The government plans to break language barriers, as well as alter the way viewers and attendants experience the Olympics.
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The government agreed to the plan dubbing it, the K-ICT Strategy 2016. The first development will be an automatic translation service (offered in several languages including French, English and Chinese). The service will work in real time for athletes and Olympic attendants through what appears to be a handheld, AI-based service.
Aside from the translation device, the government plans to improve the ICT sector more by implementing, 360-degree virtual reality cameras, which will broadcast the major sports (ski jumping and snowboarding) in ultra-high-definition broadcasts.
South Korea did not stop there.
The Ministry of Science will also provide 5G mobile communication. 5G Internet can reach speeds of 20 gigabits-per-second. That would be like downloading all the seasons of The Office in seconds … goodbye, Netflix.
Internet of Things (IoT) services will also be offered. IoT, allows everyday objects to possess internet connectivity and communicate without a human touch. The interactions would be powered by 5G Internet. According to iDigitalTimes.com, “5G could allow a driverless car and a 5G connected road to communicate information about a car accident ahead, which will stop the car before it could crash.”
In comparison to former Olympics, Rio 2016 started a trend by implementing 3D mapping, and second-screen applications which relay statistics and data of those athletes participating in an event or even former record holders. Although Rio’s technology did not reach the heights that the 2018 Winter Olympics are shooting for, it was the start.
ICT Minister, Choi Yang-hee, notes that the Korean government also plans to extend tax benefits for specific ICT projects like, IoT complexes and virtual reality theme parks. Yang-hee says, “On the basis of the K-ICT Strategy 2016, the government plans to nurture the ICT sector as a more innovative and stronger key industry.”
Whatever technological advancements Olympics of the future bring, the PyeongChang Winter Olympics is hoping to set the bar high.