Latin America. NTT DATA, the sixth largest IT services company in the world, has introduced a new 5G solution focused on sporting events. This solution allows real-time video processing added to technologies such as edge computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) to have the ability to create new digital content that viewers of different sports can access from their smartphones. Fans of these events will have the opportunity to experience what a 'connected stadium' really is.
The explosion of streaming, the appearance of multiple platforms for the viewing of all types of content and the change of strategy of companies to enhance the user experience, are some of the milestones that have been developing in recent years. NTT DATA wants to go one step further in the sporting events industry thanks to the unique functionalities offered by 5G technology.
Real-time digital content
Through high-definition cameras with 5G connectivity and applying computer vision to the movement of the players, the referee and the ball, digital content of value to the viewer can be generated on an augmented reality application. Once the movement is recorded, the information allows several analyses to be carried out:
▪ Tactical contents: simulation of the movement of the players, the position of the players during the attack and the defense
▪ Statistics: ball possession, percentage of time in attack, etc.
▪ Refereeing assist: detects offsides, fouls and goals.
▪ Heat maps that identify the areas of the pitch where
a team has had more presence and possession of the ball.
This is possible thanks to what we know today as "Digital Twin". In this case, and thanks to this solution, a digital twin (replica) of the match could be achieved, with content generated in augmented reality, statistics mentioned above and, ultimately, an exact replica of the content.
The advance proposed by NTT DATA seeks to deepen the experience of the amateur, who will have the ability to interact with the generated content in real time. However, the fan or attendee of a sporting event will not be the only one benefited by this solution, so will the referee team, which will have the opportunity to analyze specific plays in real time.
This solution also has its possible adaptation and implementation in a multitude of sectors of activity: control of an industrial plant, control of a port, control in a mine with cameras tracking in real time with the aim of avoiding or mitigating possible accidents, security sector with connected quadrants monitoring strange movements of people, etc.
Teodoro López Palacios, Partner of the Telecommunications Sector of NTT DATA Europe and LATAM comments: "We are facing the opportunity to see future sporting events from a completely different perspective. Now, the amateur will have the ability to interact in real time with all the statistics generated digitally. This advance gives way to the definitive achievement of what we will know as connected stadiums."
A demo at the Wayra Lab in Colombia
NTT DATA has already had the opportunity to present a demo of how exactly this new solution would work, taking advantage of the launch of Wayra Lab in Colombia, a space that offers startups, educational institutions and companies the opportunity to develop new and innovative 5G applications for consumers and industry in the country.
