It has been well documented that technology has played a major role in the Olympics this year in Rio. Athletes are using technology to train smarter, wearing specialized equipment to compete stronger and are recovering faster and more effectively all due to advances in technology and new innovations.
Barbara Kendall has seen this transformation in a way in which few can relate. She competed in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics in Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney and won gold, silver and bronze medals through her 25-year Sailboarding career. When her athletic career ended, she got into the technology world and is now a member of board of directors for an artificial intelligence (AI) company Arria NLG.
Artificial intelligence continues to change the very way fans view sports and athletes play the game. Teams are collecting data through robotic sensors in athletic clothing and equipment and leveraging it in a number of ways to help them compete better on the field and provide their fans with real-time stats to keep them accurately informed.
We got to speak recently with Barbara about how technology has changed since her Olympics career and how artificial intelligence continues to change the way sports are played and viewed.
SportTechie: Please discuss the evolution of AI within the sports world and how it evolved to the levels that you see in today’s Olympic competition.
Barbara Kendall: Artificial intelligence is disrupting the very way we view sports and athletes play the game- and automation is playing a huge role in this. For example, sports teams are putting robotic sensors in athletic clothing and equipment, gathering data when athletes are wearing or using them, and then leveraging the data in all sorts of ways: from providing sports fans with real time stats and coaches with data to help them inform and coach performance.
ST: How is the data being gathered as the athletes wear the sensors during competition?
BK: As the rest of the world, the sports industry is being inundated with data- almost always available in real time and from an overwhelming number of sources. As discussed in the above, sensors athletes wear during events is one of the main resources for collecting data- and can absorb and regurgitate performance and results: from speed to distances to strength; or scores to percentages of possession, passes assist goals and the list goes on. Data from a live event can even be combined with existing data from past performance.
ST: What are some Olympic examples of how data gathered and processed by AI speeds up the adjustment time for athletes and teams within competition as compared to previous Olympics where this technology isn’t available?
BK: We’re seeing a huge influx of tech usage during this year’s game- across a range of different arenas. Some specific examples:
- Sailing: GPS trackers on boating equipment provides real-time and accurate recordings for race results, speeds, and tactical decision making.
- Fencing: sensors in the gear allows judges and viewers to see the exact moment and location of a hit
- Tennis: you can see on the arena’s screen the speed of the hit in real time
- Rowing also has trackers that are measuring stroke rate per minute in real time and the statistics are instantly displayed to viewers.
- Camera technology has advanced in sports like hockey, Tennis and rugby. Camera Referee’s are being used to remove doubt in referee decisions which removes controversy.
ST: What are the main benefits of AI from the fan’s perspective and why should they be interested in what the technology can do for their viewing experience?
BK: How fans consume and watch sporting events is constantly being disrupted by emerging technologies (think of how many more are using mobile devices): and AI is just the latest. Fans can see real-time statistics for their favorite players and their competitors, making viewing a more interactive experience. AI (real-time stats) and new technologies (such as 3D cameras or 360 viewing) mean that fans are immersed in a live game- even if they aren’t physically at the event.
ST: What has been the timeline in your career to go from Olympic caliber athlete to AI business leader?
BK: I heard about Arria’s technology about 18 months ago and was particularly intrigued by the weather forecasting ability of Arria which would help at sailing competitions. Once I dug deeper into the potential of what this technology could do I wanted to be involved to try and bring this technology to the global community of sport. My time on as an International Olympic Committee member finishes after Rio which will enable me to spend more time to become immersed in AI.
ST: Where else is this data utilized within sports?
BK: The data can be leveraged by athletes and coaches, but also by judges and allow them more accurate readings of results. This allows to less error and faster decision making; and no need for ongoing disputes.
ST: With this technology not being available for many Olympic coaches when they began their careers, how has the process matured and the learning curve minimized with such complex systems being used?
BK: Many of the bigger sporting nations that have good government support have a sports science and technology funded arm to assist with trying to enhance the performances of athletes whether it be physically or with equipment. The specialist scientists work with the coaches so they can utilize this information or technology. With AI this information will be easier to understand and access which will enable emerging nations to also benefit.