A revolutionary VR headset streams games to the working part of the retina, enhancing the experience for visually impaired cricket fans
Two cricket grounds have hit disability barriers for six with the launch of technology that caters to blind and partially sighted fans. At Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham, England, nine cricket enthusiasts took part in a world-first trial of GiveVision’s assistive technology headsets.
The headset, similar to a VR device, streams live match footage directly to the working part of the user’s retina in real time and in remarkable detail.
“Helping visually impaired cricket fans to feel more included and experience the atmosphere of a stadium fixture live for the first time was truly moving,” said Edgbaston’s safeguarding and compliance manager, Thomas Cunningham Smith.
The field of artificial vision is moving fast. In an unrelated development, scientists announced in October that they had helped blind people to read again thanks to a revolutionary eye implant.
In a medical breakthrough that sounds like the stuff of science fiction, a microchip was inserted under the retinas of 38 people who had untreatable age-related macular degeneration – the leading cause of blindness for over-50s. It was paired with a set of video recording glasses that beamed the footage to the brain as an electronic signal. For 84% of participants, it worked, enabling them to read again.
While such technology advances, sports grounds continue to innovate to improve the experience for blind and visually impaired fans. Lord’s in London, ‘the home of cricket’, has become the first sports arena in the world to be kitted out with a personal navigation system for blind, partially sighted and disabled fans.
The ground teamed up with indoor navigation pioneers Waymap to create step-by-step audio and on-screen instructions that guide visitors to seats, amenities and exits via an app on their phone. Waymap plans to expand the innovation to other sports grounds, including Wembley.
Main image: GiveVision
Be part of the solution
At Positive News, we’re not chasing clicks or profits for media moguls – we’re here to serve you and have a positive social impact. We can’t do this unless enough people like you choose to support our journalism.
Give once from just £1, or join 1,800+ others who contribute an average of £3 or more per month. Together, we can build a healthier form of media – one that focuses on solutions, progress and possibilities, and empowers people to create positive change.
