How futuristic technology is changing the way aquatic centres operate
While the rest of us marvel at AI-powered toasters and sparkly drone light shows, the aquatic industry is harnessing modern technologies in a more meaningful way to improve swimmer safety and make our pools more sustainable and easier to manage.
This month we explore four cutting-edge ways that technology has the capacity to transform the operation and management of aquatic centres.
AI-powered cameras: Unseen all-seeing lifeguards
Imagine a watchful eye that never blinks, never tires, and can see every corner of the pool simultaneously. This is the reality of AI-powered camera systems in some modern aquatic centres.
Already commercially available, these intelligent systems use advanced algorithms to monitor swimmer behaviour – detecting potential drowning incidents or activities that require further investigation in real-time. Vigilant cameras can analyse the movements of everyone in the pool from behind the scenes, instantly alerting human lifeguards if anyone appears to be in distress.
Royal Life Saving Australia has agreed a collaboration to use data from AI-powered cameras to improve safety at Australian aquatic centres in the future. The cameras are used by hundreds of aquatic centres globally, including more than 40 centres in Australia.
The technology won’t replace traditional lifeguards, but may instead multiply their effectiveness, allowing them to cover larger areas more efficiently and respond quicker to emergencies using fewer staff.
Continuous monitoring could lead to smaller lifeguard teams being on guard at any one time, saving money and allowing staff more flexibility with the hours they work.
Wearable tech: Personal safety devices
Boosting safety in the water could become as simple as strapping on a smart wristband linked to an AI-monitoring system.
Innovative wearable devices exist that can monitor swimmers’ movements while they’re in the pool and smart watches can already track people’s vital signs.
These high-tech accessories, if linked to aquatic centres’ systems, could function as personal lifeguards, alerting staff if a device detects signs of distress or that a swimmer has been motionless for too long – perfect for young children or less confident swimmers. Imagine your customers downloading your aquatic centre’s app to their smart watches, or signing them into a wristband to link them into a monitoring system?
With Royal Life Saving Australia’s National Drowning Report in August 2024 confirming 323 drowning deaths in Australia over the 12 months since it was published, anything to give lifeguards, family or friends of swimmers an early warning to signs of distress is worthwhile.
It’s not all about safety either. Some wearables, such as eo’s SwimBETTER, can already detect the efficiency of your swimming stroke, providing data about your technique and how to improve it.
Smart innovations: saving energy while you swim
Most people don’t often think about the amount of energy it takes to keep pool water at optimum levels, because they don’t see the power bill. Advanced water-flow analysis systems have the potential to use AI to optimise heating and circulation of water, reducing energy consumption without compromising temperature levels.
AI-powered systems of the future could predict peak usage times and automatically adjust heating levels accordingly, with maximum efficiency, ensuring pools are at the perfect temperature for aquatic facility users. Smart water-flow analysis with AI input could be an ideal tool to keep your members splashing away happily, minimise power expenditure and reduce your centre’s effect on the environment.
Some aquatic centres, including Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre in Australia, have implemented heat recovery systems that capture and reuse the energy from wastewater and other sources, while others have made use of solar power to heat their pools.
AI-powered reporting: making the most of the data you collect
The benefits of AI extend beyond pools. As members swipe their membership cards or select an online booking, the intelligent systems of the future will be able to analyse data to identify patterns in members’ behaviour and use them to improve the experience for customers.
For example, information from AI-reporting tools may allow you to offer personalised recommendations for classes or services based on members’ usage history, or timely special offers to entice them back to classes that might have dropped off their schedules.
Future AI reporting tools could also deep dive into your data and quantify your centre’s impact on community wellbeing, improved fitness levels, social interactions, and mental health benefits among members. This goes way above basic information like how many members you have on your books or how many types of classes you offer.
This richer data set will be handy if your centre relies on funding support, as it will enable you to clearly demonstrate to funding providers the benefits you offer to the communities you serve, so they can continue to enjoy all the activities your centre provides for years to come.
Jonas Leisure Head of Sales and Customer Success Customer Success Dushayant Dhar said the integration of AI and smart technologies in aquatic centres was a welcome evolution.
“In the future, centres that implement these technologies will be able to improve their safety standards without having to employ more staff, which will be a massive benefit.
“Advanced energy-management systems are already in use in some aquatic centres, where they are helping to reduce carbon footprints and cutting costs. It’s a win-win situation that aligns perfectly with the growing demand for sustainable leisure options.”
The future of aquatic centres is brimming with exciting technological opportunities. From enhancing water safety to improving energy efficiency and from using customer trends to your advantage to demonstrating community impact, futuristic technology is set to revolutionise aquatic centres – in some cases it already is.