Ahead of the Rio Olympics opening tonight, news agency AFP has given details of the technology being used by its 185-strong editorial and technical team.

A pioneer in the use of subaquatic robots since the 2004 Athens Games, AFP has deployed 20 robotic cameras including three underwater cameras for the swimming events, along with 30 remote-controlled cameras offering multiple shooting angles.

The agency says its exceptional editorial and technical deployment will provide text, photo, video, infographics and videographics coverage of the first Olympic Games to be held in South America.

Expanded live coverage is part of a schedule which includes 600 dispatches in its six languages, more than 1,000 photos - along with themed slideshows and archive images from previous Games - some 300 videos with live video following highlights, and more than 100 fixed graphics. A dozen videographics presenting the Rio Olympics, the history of the Games and the key sports have also been produced.

An interactive application in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese for web and mobile platforms will offer access to the events schedule, results, medal tables and records, and can be enriched with extras such as the daily photo gallery, a selection of historic images and videos.

Pictured: Photographers collect their waterproof remote cameras after the swimming finals in Beijing in 2008 (AFP photo, Francois-Xavier Marit)