New Technology Lets Visually Impaired Fans Feel the Game

 


    A Seattle-based startup called OneCourt is changing the way visually impaired fans experience live sports. Using a tactile broadcasting device, the company allows users to feel the game in real time through a specialized tabletop mat. This mat replicates the layout of a sports field and uses moving haptic "pixels" to represent players, the ball, and key game actions. As users run their fingers across the surface, they can follow the flow of the match–where the ball is, who's moving where, and what just happened–all through touch.

    The technology syncs with real-time game data from sources like NFL's Next Gen Stats and broadcasts the action with minimal delay, making it possible for blind fans to stay in the moment alongside everyone else in the stadium. OneCourt has already tested this system at Portland Trail Blazers games, working closely with blind athletes and students. It combines tactile sensing with optional audio prompts, giving users a richer, more independent way to follow sports without needing a sighted companion or descriptive commentary.

    As OneCourt continues to expand, the potential impact is huge. Not only does this technology open new doors for fan inclusion, but it also empowers visually impaired individuals to participate in a cultural space that's long excluded them. 

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