The podcast explores tech in sports, including how it enhances athlete performance and viewer experience, the quest to bring mountain biking to the Paralympics, AI growth in Africa, and innovative adaptive bicycles for riders with disabilities.
Technology is transforming sports with advancements like ball-tracking in tennis and AI coaching apps, revolutionizing athlete performance and fan experiences.
AI is fueling innovation in Africa, with applications in agriculture and energy accelerating economic growth and community empowerment, offering solutions to climate change challenges.
Deep dives
Technology in Sport Enhancing Performance and Viewer Experience
Technology is playing a significant role in revolutionizing sports, from enhancing athlete performance to providing viewers with immersive experiences. Key advancements include ball-tracking technology like Hawkeye in tennis and cricket, VAR in football, and Omega's timekeeping technologies at the Olympics. Companies like Amazon are utilizing AI to develop smart coaching applications, improving player performance and health. The integration of technology in sports is not without challenges, such as the acceptance of VAR by fans, highlighting the need to strike a balance between technological advancements and maintaining the essence of the sport.
AI Transforming Sports and Social Development in Africa
AI applications are making strides in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, attracting talent and investments in tech, including AI. Sectors like agriculture, energy, and environment are leveraging AI for economic and social impact, with potential to address climate change challenges. Projects such as predictive AI for smallholder farmers and energy access solutions are crucial for empowering communities. While digital divides exist, advancements in AI present opportunities to bridge gaps and drive innovation across the continent.
Adaptive mountain bikes with articulating frames are reshaping paracycling, offering improved stability and maneuverability on challenging terrains. Boed, a Calgary-based company, has developed custom mountain bikes that enable riders to navigate rough trails efficiently. These bikes, equipped with features like an upright seating position and front-wheel drive, enhance the riding experience for individuals like Gustavo Ortiz, a former national champion who found joy in biking post-injury. Boed's innovative technology holds potential to expand the reach of paracycling and pave the way for official recognition in the Paralympic Games.
Ahead of the Olympics in Paris, we look at tech in sport. How is it used by athletes to improve their performance? And how is it used to deliver the spectacle to viewers at home? We also follow the quest to bring mountain biking to the Paralympics and how technology advancements are helping this become a reality. Plus, the potential for AI growth in Africa and how it might change the continent.
Presented by Zoe Kleinman
Produced by Tom Quinn and Imran Rahman-Jones
Edited by Monica Soriano
(Image: A male swimmer wearing goggles and a black swimming cap emerges out of the water. Credit: Getty Images)
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