NTT takes Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift to edge of innovation

For the past nine years, NTT has been the official technology partner to the Tour de France, working to deliver innovative experiences to fans, and digitally transform race operations.

NTT is enhancing its technology offering for the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift to bring IoT, edge connectivity, and edge computing to the forefront of the famous sporting event.

In 2023, NTT will bring a greater focus on the combined value of these technologies for real-time analytics. NTT will integrate IoT and edge to create the world’s largest “connected stadium” by setting up a digital twin of the race, which will connect layers of real-time information to replicate all aspects of the highly dynamic event digitally.

 

At the core of NTT’s data-gathering are the bikes themselves. Using geolocation, they will transmit a constant stream of latitude, longitude, and speed data over radio networks to race motorcycles or a plane. A microwave signal will then carry the data to the end of the race, where a truck-based edge-computing device will run a containerised version of NTT’s real-time analytics platform.

 

This year’s race will also see the integration of ChatGPT in NTT’s AI-driven Digital Human solution, which combines machine learning, speech recognition, natural language processing and conversational AI. The digital human platform has been specifically trained on relevant race information and can access detailed information to further enhance the fan experience.

 

“Combining IoT and edge unlocks a new level of operational excellence and one that can’t be achieved in isolation. Capturing, processing, and analysing data alongside the unity of these technologies is essential for making every bike a ‘digital twin’ which is the ultimate demonstration of edge computing in action,” said Shahid Ahmed, Group EVP, New Ventures and Innovation at NTT Ltd.

 

“Having worked with NTT for the past nine years, we’ve seen data become an increasing asset to better explain the race to a mass audience, strongly engage our fans, improve their fan experience and support our race organisation’s challenges,” added Julien Goupil, Head of Partnerships & Media at A.S.O.

 

Following the announcement last year of the integration of NTT Ltd. and NTT DATA to create a $30 billion IT services powerhouse, NTT’s technology partnership with both the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift now falls under the NTT DATA brand. NTT’s purpose is to transform businesses for success, disrupt industries for good and shape a better society for all.

The MACH Alliance unveils the 'Agent Ecosystem,' aiming for seamless connectivity in enterprise AI...
xtype unveils the 2026 State of ServiceNow Operations Survey at The ServiceNow World Forum, aiming...
Check Point and Lakera have launched the b3 benchmark to enhance LLM security in AI agents,...
Hammerspace unveils an innovative solution enhancing AI applications by leveraging existing data...
AI boosts productivity for UK enterprises, yet most are not fully leveraging its potential. Key...
Chelsea FC and FPT announce a wider partnership, with FPT becoming a Principal Partner through...
NTT DATA's acquisition of Alchemy reinforces its strategy of innovating and modernising the global...
Slalom's latest AI Insights Survey unveils disparities between executive AI enthusiasm and...