This Guinness Men’s & Women’s Six Nations, Guinness is partnering with Field of Vision, the pioneers of fan inclusivity, to bring a revolutionary sensory experience to visually impaired fans at this year's Championships.
Thanks to a cutting-edge device that uses touch-based technology and a bespoke haptic language, visually impaired fans can now feel every tackle, try and kick instantly, and know precisely where the play is happening on the pitch, transforming the game of rugby.
This new partnership with Field of Vision, with support from the IRFU, is part of Guinness’s ongoing commitment to champion impactful inclusion and diversifying experiences for all, never settling until sport is a place where everyone can belong.
Two-time Paralympian and Guinness Never Settle ambassador, Martin Gordon spoke to William Davies about the device and its benefits for those who are visually impaired.
The Technology Behind the Device:
The revolutionary sensory experience to visually impaired fans at this year's Guinness Men’s & Women’s Six Nations Championships. This new partnership is part of Guinness’s ongoing commitment to champion impactful inclusion and diversifying experiences for all, never settling until sport is a place where everyone can belong.
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Field of Vision's AI-powered cameras tracks the ball's every move in real time, relaying the data to handheld devices held by visually impaired fans. A magnetic "ball" within the device mimics the action on the field, vibrating and shifting to represent passes, tackles, and every heart-stopping moment. For Ireland’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations fixtures, this technology was enhanced with accompanying radios, connected to RTÉ Radio 1 commentary, allowing the users to both feel and hear the match. The device adds a crucial tactile dimension, allowing fans to truly connect with the game's energy and eliminating the lag or disconnect that many experience with audio-only solutions.
Guinness and Field of Vision, with support from the IRFU, are committed to expanding this initiative to more fixtures and to finding a long-term solution to providing these units to more fans in the future. Guinness has also been working with the Voice of Vision Impairment for the in-stadium experience using the Field of Vision devices and across accessible broadcasts with Virgin Media.
The Voice ofVision Impairment Ireland has been providing key feedback on how to improve the experience for future users.
For further information on the Field of Vision device, visit www.fov.ie.
For more information about VI Rugby and other inclusive IRFU programmes, visit https://www.irishrugby.ie/playing-the-game/spirit-of-rugby/disability-rugby/.
