In a post-COVID-19 world, is the future of smart venues in jeopardy or have the opportunities grown?
5G continues to position itself as a premier technology that will change numerous aspects of our everyday lives. There is plenty to talk about concerning the future of wireless communication, and here at 5G Insider we do just that, but one of the most intriguing futures to consider is that of the smart venue. It’s no secret that the way and rate at which we appear in public has changed for the foreseeable future. COVID-19 has altered the very manner in which we socialize. Things that we took for granted including attending a sporting event with tens of thousands of people, massive concerts, and festivals for every niche, hobby, and interest may never be the same.
According to a study conducted by Nokia, 65% of participants are intrigued by the prospect of smart venues powered by 5G. Everything from how we navigate a venue, communicate in, around, and with large crowds, and how we experience our event altogether will be enhanced by 5G technology. Museums with virtual guided tours, personalized sporting experiences, even something as simple as stronger wireless networks that won’t be overloaded by an influx of calls and data will take many venues to the next level for years to come. Or at least it was until the pandemic.
So, this begs the question: how will 5G powered smart venues overcome these new obstacles and produce the experience they were meant to? Time will tell, however, while the future may look different than it did even months ago, it still looks bright. Take a journey to the venue of the future and see how smart venues can adapt and execute to deliver a greater consumer experience thanks to 5G capabilities.
Health and Security
Enhancing security has always been in the cards for 5G. From increasing logistics to streamline crowds and lines to empowering AI when assessing potential threats before they happen, 5G has the ability to help venues and personnel communicate and process threats at exceptional rates. An additional measure that could be added is the promising technology coming from reading temperatures. To help stave off an outbreak, 5G thermometers could help assess health risks before it spreads.
The benefits don’t stop there, rather this is simply the beginning of what 5G can do for venues and crowds. Contact tracing will help those that may be at risk of infection learn of their risk to be proactive about their health. Venues can even set up virtual medical stations should medical assistance be necessary that can go as far as performing remote surgeries via wireless communication.
Personalized Enhanced Experiences
Smartphones have revolutionized how we experience a night out, communicate, and virtually any other aspect of our lives. Venues that have to increasingly fight for the attention of consumers continue to adapt to provide personalized, memorable experiences for their patrons. Having personalized stats, commentary, audio experiences, and more are all plans of the smart venues of tomorrow. A large part of this will also be the increase in capabilities dealing with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), more on this shortly. Intuitive and interactive parts of live events that use your personal device and those around it to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience are all within the ambitions of what 5G is bringing to venues across the country.
AR and VR May Have Even Bigger Roles Now
One of the most intriguing uses of VR will be how they expand within the venues it is a part of, and yet, it will benefit those who are actually not even inside its doors. We are already seeing the practice of providing virtual courtside seats to live games from the NBA for a unique experience from the comfort of your home.
Still, both AR and VR have a lot to offer those who attend the events in person. AR takes a lot of computing power which is why it is a prime candidate to see a boost across the board as 5G continues to be a part of our lives. 5G networks will help venues of all sorts power helpful AR functions including detailed maps, virtual tours, interactive features, personalized commentary, and more. Both are slated to boost live experiences in a variety of ways. Sometimes, you may not even need to be in the building to reap their benefits.
Innovation Will Pull 5G Through
Smart venues already have plenty to look forward to with 5G capable of powering all of these things and many more. From the prospects of connecting itself to function at a higher level through the Internet of Things (IoT) to many more innovative ideas such as data collection to further enhance future experiences, 5G will fuel venues towards safer, more interactive, personal experiences to the delight of the consumer and event hosts.
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