Breaking boundaries: the headsets bringing cricket to partially sighted fans

Breaking boundaries: the headsets bringing cricket to partially sighted fans

A groundbreaking virtual reality headset has been introduced to enhance the experience of visually impaired cricket fans by streaming live games directly to the functioning areas of the retina. This innovative technology aims to bring the excitement of live cricket closer to those with visual impairments.

At Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham, England, nine cricket supporters took part in an unprecedented trial of GiveVision’s assistive headset technology. Resembling a VR device, the headset delivers real-time match footage with exceptional clarity straight to the retina’s healthy regions. Thomas Cunningham Smith, Edgbaston’s safeguarding and compliance manager, expressed the emotional impact of the trials, stating, “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.”

Meanwhile, the broader field of artificial vision is advancing rapidly. In a separate breakthrough announced in October, scientists have successfully helped individuals who are blind to read again through the use of an innovative eye implant. This medical advancement involved implanting a microchip beneath the retinas of 38 people affected by untreatable age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness for those over 50. The microchip worked in tandem with video recording glasses that transmitted visual information as electronic signals to the brain. Impressively, this treatment restored reading ability in 84% of the participants.

Sports venues are also embracing technology to make live events more accessible. Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, known as the ‘home of cricket,’ has become the world’s first arena to implement a personal navigation system designed specifically for blind, partially sighted, and disabled fans. Partnering with Waymap, a leader in indoor navigation technology, Lord’s offers an app that provides step-by-step audio and visual directions, helping attendees navigate to their seats, facilities, and exits. Plans are underway to extend this solution to other major sports venues, including Wembley Stadium

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