10 Ways IoT, Emerging Technologies Power Super Bowl LVIII

The San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs face off Sunday night in Super Bowl LVIII. And while Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are making headlines on and off the field, that’s not the biggest story ahead of the game, it’s how IoT and the intersection of emerging technologies are pulling it all together for one massive technology-driven event. 

From drones to robotics, high-tech helmets to virtual reality and state-of-the-art fan experiences, here’s a look at the emerging technologies taking center stage ahead of the big game.

Robotics, Augmented Reality, Drones 

Coverage of Super Bowl LVIII from Las Vegas will be nothing short of what you’d expect from a Las Vegas production. 

Credit: CBS Sports

CBS Sports’ broadcast technology for the game incorporates everything from HD to 4K zoom to augmented reality (AR) cameras covering every angle and giving viewers a closer look than ever before. In fact, Super Bowl 2024 will mark the first time CBS Sports telecasts a Super Bowl game in 1080p.

Find out more about emerging tech at the big game >>>

Drone Free Zone

Aside from Drone views from CBS cameras, don’t even think about flying your drone near the Super Bowl or be ready to face hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. 

The FAA has imposed temporary flight restrictions over Las Vegas prohibiting all drone flights from within a 30-mile radius of Allegiant Stadium, and essentially the entire Las Vegas metropolitan area.

Samsung Brings Cutting-Edge Display Tech to Allegiant Stadium

Samsung has partnered with Allegiant Stadium to light up Super Bowl LVIII with cutting-edge display technology that features a 27,699-square-foot outdoor stadium LED mesh – the largest in professional football, set to deliver an “unrivaled fan experience.”

Credit: Samsung

See how fans won’t miss any of the action >>>

Players Sporting Wearable Safety Tech at 

Like last year, you’ll find some players sporting the Q-Collar under their helmets for added protection out on the field, including San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill. 

Credit: Q-Collar

Designed to safeguard the brain by limiting its movement during injury, the wearable has become popular among elite athletes looking for extra protection.

Discover how the Q-Collar works >>> 

Virtual, Extended Reality Transports Super Bowl Fans to Vegas

CBS will use extended reality and ghost frame technologies, as well as specialty graphics during its coverage to transport players to the Vegas boulevard, while a virtual reality experience will transport viewers to the Las Vegas Strip. 

Credit: CBS Sports

The virtual reality Super Bowl experience, hosted by Meta, will feature interactive games and Super Bowl trivia for fans, as well as a platform for fans to connect and share predictions for the big day.

Find out more about the virtual reality experience >>>

High Tech Helmets Offer Advanced Protection

Some players at this year’s game will be sporting the latest high-tech helmets to offer advanced protection on the field. 

One such model is the Zero2-R Matrix ID Trench helmet from equipment maker Vicis, fitted with 3D-printed padding that the company said gives players a lighter, better-fitting helmet.

Discover how these high-tech helmets work >>>

State-of-the-Art Fan Experiences

Super Bowl fans will have access to a range of immersive and personalized experiences to make their home viewing even more special. 

Nickelodeon and CBS Sports have created the first-ever alternate telecast for the Super Bowl, airing on the children’s television channel and featuring characters from SpongeBob SquarePants across the screen and in the announcers’ box. 

Explore what they’re all about >>>

Interactive Super Bowl Experience

The NFL, in collaboration with Toyota, has also created an interactive Super Bowl experience at the Mandalay Bay South Convention Center in Vegas. The 700,000-square-foot space has been transformed into a kind of NFL-themed theme park.

Credit: NFL

Fans who weren’t able to get tickets for the game itself will be able to take part in interactive games, such as the 40-yard dash, get player autographs, and take photos with the Super Bowl Rings and Vince Lombardi trophy.

Take a look inside the NFL’s Super Bowl Experience >>>