3 days ago
Deaflympics: Tech innovation to immerse athletes, spectators in sport
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Digital technology is set to play an exciting role at the Tokyo Deaflympics in November, with organizers aiming to create an immersive experience that engages athletes and spectators with hearing impairments.
The Japanese capital hosted a competition in June 2023 to find new technology to "realize sporting venues where sounds can be seen and felt," and the winning entry will be on show during its first major multisport event since the Olympics and Paralympics in 2021.
Sounds such as those made when a ball is hit, or when fans cheer, are translated into onomatopoeic words and displayed at the table tennis venue during the Deaflympics.
Monitors near the table display written characters in sync with the decisive moments of a match, offering a more immersive and visually engaging experience for spectators.
At the judo venue, devices provided at the spectators' seats will send vibrations that enable them to feel the impact of judokas' dynamic throws.
Fans at swimming events will have "smart glasses" to wear that display information about the races in progress.
Messages will be transmitted in sign language on big screens at every venue, as well as in text. Athletes' announcements and emergency notifications will also be made via text.
Ryo Yorozuya, a member of the metropolitan government's sports promotion department, expects the Deaflympics to have a similar impact as the Olympics and Paralympics, which triggered accessibility improvements at places such as train stations.
"Spreading the barrier-free (concept) in communication will be the legacy of this Deaflympics," he said.
