How BMW's Tech Helped American Swimming Team Win Gold At Rio Olympics
Sameer Contractor
1 min read
Aug 12, 2016, 07:30 PM
Key Highlights
- BMW's autonomous driving technology helped train the athletes
- The tech helps provide more accurate data about the athlete's movements
- American swimmer Michael Phelps has won 22 gold medals in Olympics
The American Swimming team has grabbed up to twenty four medals at the Rio Olympics with star swimmer Michael Phelps having won his 22nd Olympic gold as well. While that is commendable feat to achieve, little did we know that car maker BMW has had a significant role to play in the team's success. The German car maker has been instrumental in helping the American swimming team perform well in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
BMW is helping the US Swimming athletes train for the Olympics. The athletes are using the automaker's autonomous driving technology to improve and enhance their training skills. Being a time-based event, athletes need to shave off every second possible from their time and improving on every little manoeuvre comes to their advantage.
The athletes use customised technology adapted from the LED lighting system seen on BMW's autonomous vehicles. Much like the car that uses the system to track movements of objects and obstacles on road; the LEDs are strapped to the swimmer's wrists, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles and toes using 3D-printed mounts. Concurrently, an underwater camera uses motion-tracking technology to break down the swimmer's movements. This, in turn, helps the swimmer to understand how he can improve his performance.
Interestingly, this isn't the first time the US Swimming team adopted BMW autonomous driving technology. The team had trained for the 2012 London Olympics using similar albeit older version of autonomous driving tech. Obviously, the latest version offers more accurate results, and does not feel intrusive to the swimmer either. Certainly, it does get to hard to comprehend at times the vast applications of technology.
Apart from its involvement with the US Swimming team, BMW has been more actively involved in the Olympics on different levels. The automaker previously developed a racing wheelchair for the Rio Paralympics, while a two-man bobsled was also made for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
BMW is helping the US Swimming athletes train for the Olympics. The athletes are using the automaker's autonomous driving technology to improve and enhance their training skills. Being a time-based event, athletes need to shave off every second possible from their time and improving on every little manoeuvre comes to their advantage.
The athletes use customised technology adapted from the LED lighting system seen on BMW's autonomous vehicles. Much like the car that uses the system to track movements of objects and obstacles on road; the LEDs are strapped to the swimmer's wrists, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles and toes using 3D-printed mounts. Concurrently, an underwater camera uses motion-tracking technology to break down the swimmer's movements. This, in turn, helps the swimmer to understand how he can improve his performance.
Interestingly, this isn't the first time the US Swimming team adopted BMW autonomous driving technology. The team had trained for the 2012 London Olympics using similar albeit older version of autonomous driving tech. Obviously, the latest version offers more accurate results, and does not feel intrusive to the swimmer either. Certainly, it does get to hard to comprehend at times the vast applications of technology.
Apart from its involvement with the US Swimming team, BMW has been more actively involved in the Olympics on different levels. The automaker previously developed a racing wheelchair for the Rio Paralympics, while a two-man bobsled was also made for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Related News
Popular BMW Models
Latest Cars
Upcoming Cars
Latest News
car&bike Team | Mar 6, 2026QJ Motor SRK 421 RR Unveiled In EuropeThe SRK 421 RR is powered by a high-revving, liquid-cooled, 421 cc, inline-four engine which makes 76 bhp at 14,000 rpm and 39 Nm at 13,000 rpm.1 min read
Shams Raza Naqvi | Mar 6, 2026Batman Returns: Mahindra To Reopen Bookings For BE 6 Batman EditionMahindra had first launched the Batman in August 2025 when all 999 units got sold out in no time.2 mins read
car&bike Team | Mar 6, 2026JSW’s Creta Electric Rival Spotted: Chery Jaecoo J5 Undergoes Testing In PuneThe upcoming JSW Motors SUV will be based on the Jaecoo J5 that is built by China’s Chery Automobile.1 min read
car&bike Team | Mar 6, 2026Affordable New Honda Electric Motorcycle Revealed In PatentsPatent images reveal what appears to be Honda’s future strategy for the electric motorcycle segment – another low-cost electric motorcycle.3 mins read
Jaiveer Mehra | Mar 5, 2026Fourth-Gen Honda Insight Reborn As All-Electric CrossoverHonda claims the EV will offer a cruising range of over 500 km on the WLTC cycle.3 mins read
car&bike Team | Mar 5, 2026Hyundai Exter Facelift Spied Testing Ahead Of 2026 LaunchA partially disguised test mule of the facelifted Hyundai Exter has been spotted once again ahead of its expected launch later this year.2 mins read
Bilal Firfiray | Feb 28, 2026Tata Punch EV Facelift Review: More Range, More Sense, Less MoneyThe Tata Punch EV facelift gets a bigger 40 kWh battery, faster 60 kW DC charging, improved thermal management, and better real-world range, and all of that at a lower introductory price. But does it become a more complete package now?6 mins read
Preetam Bora | Feb 24, 2026Hero Destini 110 Review: Simplicity, RefinedThe Hero Destini 110 is a no-nonsense commuter that is simple, comfortable and above all, fuel efficient. In 2026, when buyers are spoilt for choice, is it good enough to consider?6 mins read
Preetam Bora | Feb 23, 2026TVS Apache RTX Road Test Review: Redefining the Entry-Level ADVAfter spending some time with the TVS Apache RTX in traffic, the daily commute, as well as on open highways, one thing becomes clear: the RTX is trying to redefine the entry-level ADV segment. But is it without fault?1 min read
Girish Karkera | Feb 20, 2026Road Test: 2025 VinFast VF7 AWD Sky InfinityFlagship all-electric SUV from the Vietnamese car maker gets most of the basics right.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | Feb 18, 2026New BMW X3 30 Vs Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: Midsize Luxury SUV FaceoffWith the new X3 30, BMW has a direct competitor to the petrol GLC 300, but which is the luxury SUV for you?1 min read