Tech
Seattle startup aims to enhance the sports experience for vision-impaired fans with innovative tactile device
OneCourt, a Seattle startup, is revolutionizing the way blind or low-vision sports fans experience games by providing them with a device that allows them to “feel” what is happening on the field or court through touch. The company’s technology translates gameplay data into spatial haptics, syncing to television or radio broadcasts of sports games and providing tactile playing-field outlines and vibrations under the user’s fingers. This device enhances the audio experience that blind or vision-impaired fans rely on, filling in spatial details and bringing them closer to the action.
Jerred Mace, the CEO of OneCourt, started the company more than two years ago at the University of Washington, where he studied industrial and product design. He believes in the power of touch to enhance the experience for everyone and is passionate about making sports accessible to all fans, regardless of their visual abilities. OneCourt partners with professional sports teams and leagues to utilize data already being collected for various purposes, such as the NFL’s Next Gen Stats powered by Amazon. By focusing on improving the foundational experience of the game, OneCourt aims to enhance the overall enjoyment of sports for everyone.
OneCourt’s efforts have been supported by Microsoft’s AI for Accessibility program, providing them with a 12-month grant to further their research and development. The startup has also partnered with T-Mobile for technical support, 5G integration, and workspace access. They recently won a $50,000 investment prize at the Flywheel Investment Conference in Wenatchee, as well as a $5,000 fan favorite prize. Additionally, OneCourt has participated in various competitions at the University of Washington and gone through accelerator programs to refine their technology and business model.
One of the highlights for OneCourt was their first in-venue pilot with the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, where Mace and his team got to watch games with students from the Washington State School for the Blind and the Northwest Association for Blind Athletes who were using the device. This experience was particularly impactful, as it allowed these fans to feel like they were truly part of the action during the game. By providing this innovative technology, OneCourt is opening up new opportunities for blind or low-vision individuals to enjoy sports in a way that was previously inaccessible to them.
-
News7 days ago
Arsenal Secures Vital Victory Over Man United with 1-0 Win in Premier League: Live Score, Team News, and Updates as Gunners Hold on after Trossard’s Goal
-
Wellness7 days ago
Top 14 Mineral Sunscreens Recommended by Dermatologists for 2024
-
Sport6 days ago
AGs from conservative states sue the Biden administration to stop ‘extreme transgender ideology’ endangering ‘safety of women and girls’
-
Food7 days ago
31 Top Chocolate Gifts to Give This Holiday Season 2022: Featuring Godiva, Ghirardelli, Harry & David, and Williams Sonoma
-
Auto7 days ago
The Alpina B3 Touring: The Most Appealing BMW Currently Available for Purchase
-
Food6 days ago
44 Top Gifts for Coffee Enthusiasts in 2022: Brewing Equipment, Frothers, Grinders, Cups, and Subscriptions
-
News6 days ago
American soldier’s wife imprisoned in Russia alleges she witnessed his girlfriend from the area stab him while video calling with their six-year-old daughter
-
Sport7 days ago
Jimmy Johnson, Hall of Fame defensive back for the 49ers, passes away at age 86.