At last week’s Mobile World Congress, Ooredoo, the region’s leading enabler of digital business innovation, and Dell EMC, the world’s leading provider of cloud infrastructure and innovative business solutions, launched a smart stadium demo to transform mega-events around the world.
The technology titans have developed smart stadium technology that aims to maximise the safety and security of athletes and coaches, fans, media, and organisers at Qatar’s soccer tournament in 2022 and additional mega-events worldwide.
The smart stadium solution combines the speed, capacity, and reliability of Ooredoo’s industry-leading 5G network with Dell EMC’s deep learning capabilities to deliver enhanced security. As the first country to demo the solution, Qatar can accelerate its digital transformation as well as strengthen its position as a hub for global events. Ooredoo expects to roll-out the solution across its markets in the Middle East, North Africa, and South East Asia. By using camera-enabled drones to patrol venues, mega-event organisers can record and transmit high definition video footage via Ooredoo’s secure 5G network to local data centres. Here, the data is combined with CCTV footage and analysed by computers – all within seconds – to spot hazards such as dangerous objects and potential disturbances.
The system also utilises multi-cloud, edge computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and video analytics technology from Dell EMC to identify potentially dangerous objects in real time, giving all stakeholders of events the ability to respond promptly. Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi, Chief Operating Officer, Ooredoo Qatar, said: “As Qatar ascends the world stage in mega-events, our partnership with Dell EMC combines the strengths of both companies to ensure that Qatar is a world leader in smart stadium and mega-event safety and security. At Mobile World Congress, we’re showcasing how technology can allow fans, players, and media worldwide to focus on what matters most – enjoying a world class sporting event.”
Visitors to the Ooredoo stand experienced a live demo of a key component of the security solution – object detection – which uses deep learning techniques and a specially configured “neural network” to detect and track potentially hazardous objects. Ghassan Kosta - Country Manager, Qatar said: “Fans are more connected than ever before. By combining Ooredoo’s 5G technology with Dell EMC’s innovations, mega-event organisers can integrate the ecosystem of staff, vendors, and fans for real-time decision-making to enhance fan safety. Our partnership can also expand the smart stadium experience across mobile ticketing, concessions, and loyalty programmes.”
The solutions being developed will not only benefit Qatar’s soccer tournament in 2022 but will also be invaluable for all large events in the future, presenting Ooredoo with the opportunity to expand the offering across its geographic footprint and other parts of the world.
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