Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) has showcased their drone technology and artificial intelligence for the broadcast coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The aim is to provide more immersive perspectives and real-time data to global audiences.
A fleet of 25 drones, including 15 high-speed First-Person-View (FPV) units, are deployed to capture dynamic footage of outdoor events such as alpine skiing and snowboarding. The drones are intended to offer viewers a more intimate sense of the speed and technicality involved in winter sports.
In addition to hardware, OBS is integrating AI-driven tools to enhance storytelling. According to the Olympics website, this includes the use of real-time 360-degree replays and automated data visualization powered by Alibaba Cloud’s algorithm, which allows broadcasters to instantly display metrics like athlete speed, jump height, and rotation counts during live performances. Specialized AI tracking will also be used in sports like curling to illustrate stone trajectories and tactical plays.
The broader objective of these technical updates is to bridge the geographic distance between the Games’ multiple venues across Italy, creating a unified viewing experience for fans watching on digital and traditional platforms.
