Tennis Technology Tuesday
I have watched professional tennis matches finals streamed to my phone while the Fiend at Court spousal unit handles post tournament driving duties. The experience squinting at a small screen in a vehicle that is careening and bouncing around is somewhat less than satisfactory. However, it way better than the way than my husband experiences those matches.
Me: Oh! Wow! What a shot!
FACSU: What happened?!?
Me: There was a wide shot and an amazing… (This is when the instant replay kicks in.)… Oh! Wow! What a shot!
FACU: What’s the score?
Me: I don’t know
I ran across an article in Fast Company last week that described a new system designed to better deliver broadcast tennis to the Blind and Low Vision (BLV) community. The system was debuted during the Australian Open. The new system is called “Action Audio.” It takes visual and spatial data from the matches and converts it into audio.
Action Audio works in conjunction with the Hawk-Eye line calling system. That means that it should be broadly available for the majority of professional tennis matches without requiring any additional equipment to be installed on the court.
The following is a sample of the new technology overlayed on an 18 stroke rally between Roger Federer and Marin Cilic from the 2018 Australian Open.
First and foremost, I am excited to see this innovation to better deliver tennis to the BLV community. I also think that this technology could revolutionize tennis for broadcast radio. ATP Radio currently offers “ball by ball coverage” of matches from ATP 1000s and the Grand Slams. To be transparent, I was unaware that they offer that service. Apparently no matches are archived, so I was unable to sample the offering. The next chance for this will be the Miami Open.
I am intrigued by Action Audio. The Finals of the Men’s and Women’s singles at The Australian Open were broadcast using the new technology. Unfortunately the Action Audio version of those matches are not available for streaming either. I am itching to experience Action Audio over a full length match.
In the interim, here is a publicity video prepared by the company. It does a great job capturing the needs and interests of the BLV community. Additionally it is interesting to experience a video that was put together specifically for people with visual impairments. It was created and aired in Australia prior to this year’s Australian Open tournament. I find it to be inspiring.
Broadcast professional tennis is an essential component in promoting the sport and bringing new players and fans to the game. The thing I love about the concept of Action Audio is that it expands potential coverage for a underserved segment of the population. At the same time, it could greatly enhance the availability of tennis broadcasts to the general population.
I will be keeping an eye on this system.
- Hear the new experience designed to bring people who are blind into the excitement of a tennis match, Talib Visram, Fast Company, February 19, 2021.
- Action Audio Webpage, Viewed March 7, 2020.
