A Seattle tech company has developed the first tactile sports broadcast to help visually impaired sports fans like 11-year-old Hank Vogel experience games with excitement. The device converts gameplay into trackable vibrations, allowing users to feel the movements of players on the court in real time. The technology, called OneCourt, uses real-time data collected by the NBA to provide a unique sports viewing experience for blind and low-vision individuals.
The Portland Trail Blazers were the first NBA team to offer the OneCourt device for games, allowing fans who are blind or have low vision to check out a device free of charge. The company’s ultimate goal is to make the device available for personal use, focusing on achieving initial scale within stadium markets before expanding to an at-home model. Founder Jerred Mace emphasized the importance of keeping the device affordable for users, aiming for a price range similar to cellphones or gaming consoles.
OneCourt has the potential to revolutionize accessibility for blind and low-vision sports fans, providing a more engaging and inclusive experience for individuals who may otherwise struggle to follow games. By incorporating tactile feedback, the technology opens up new possibilities for participation in social activities and improves quality of life for individuals with visual impairments. With the support of teams like the Portland Trail Blazers, the future of sports broadcasting for visually impaired individuals looks promising.
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