Technology at the Rio Paralympics 2016

2 min reading
Development / 19 September 2016
Technology at the Rio Paralympics 2016
Technology at the Rio Paralympics 2016

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Technology advances are gradually expanding to all sectors, including sports, and the Rio Paralympics 2016 are an example of this trend. From September 7 through to September 18, new gadgets can be seen during the competition in Brazil. These are three highlights:

1. Digital Lap Counter

Olympic swimmers have trouble keeping track of their laps while focusing on their performance. To make it easier for them, they were provided with an Omega digital lap counter at the Rio Olympics 2016.

The counter was placed at the bottom of the pool. When the swimmers turned around, they had to tap a touchscreen on the wall. This way, they only had to worry about competing.

 2. NFC-enabled wrist band and ring

Using this wrist band, the public and athletes can make payments without needing cash or a credit card. In the same vein, Visa developed a NFC-enabled ring for athletes to make payments in various stores.

During the London Olympics 2012, Bluetooth technology had already been used to obtain real-time information about the spectators.

The system monitored the signs sent by transmitters in different locations across London. The sensors measured how many people were watching the Olympics and for how long. The data was then used to put together statistics and forecast the infrastructure requirements at any given moment.

Athletes with disabilities are now a step closer to technology. We hope that this is only the first of many devices to help change people’s lives.  El primer paso para acercar la tecnología a los deportistas discapacitados ha llegado, ahora solo queda esperar que este sea el primer dispositivo de muchos que ayuden a cambiar la vida de las personas.

 3And for the next games… A Bluetooth-enabled swimming cap

The Internet of Things dives into the Olympic pools with a cap that will guide swimmers through the use of vibrations that will warn them in time to able to turn at the right moment.

Paralympic swimmers currently use a basic system with objects from their daily lives: a stick with a sponge that hits the head or back of the swimmer when they need to turn or make any other movement.

Samsung has developed the Samsung Blind Cap, a swimming cap with Bluetooth technology for visually-impaired swimmers.

This cap synchronizes with the smartphone Samsung Galaxy S7 and the smartwatch Gear S2 using Bluetooth technology. The trainer uses the Blind Cap app to link to the cap; then, they only need to tap a button on the app to let the swimmer know that they need to move in a certain way.

The cap is still only a prototype and is not available for purchase but it will soon improve the life of many athletes.

Fuente: What’s new, Rio 2016 y BBVA

 

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