Samsung and Cheil Spain have teamed up and created a swim cap that is designed for the benefit of blind swimmers. The cap automatically will alert swimmers with a small vibrating sensor when they are getting close to the wall to either finish the race, or do a flip turn.
In order for the gentle vibration to hit the cap, the coaches swimmer sends the signal through a smartwatch or through their mobile device.
The bonus for this innovation, developed in collaboration with the Spanish Paralympic Committee, is that blind swimmers were previously made aware of the wall by an official reaching a stick to tap swimmers on the back or head, which is a fickle method at best.
This new technology not only allows the blind swimmers to possibly do a “regular” flip turn, it also allows them to swim more independently, no longer having to depend on officials tapping them on the head or back, or depending on the official’s sense of timing.
The coach and swimmer will be able to practice over and over again so the timing of the sensor will be precise.
Brenta Cotta, the creative director at Cheil Spain, told Digital Sport “Blind Cap is an innovation that builds upon one of Samsung’s core values, which is ‘meaningful progress through technology’.”
Cheil Worldwide’s global chief creative officer Malcolm Poynton is excited to be at the forefront of sport technology with this new swim cap.
Although this is cap is only available to elite athletes, it is still a step in the right direction for Paralympic swimming and sport technology.
Hi
i am blind and sswim and this cap is a great idea how do i go about getting one?
Can’t wait till this is available for all blind swimmers. This surely would bring the price down significantly if it went into mass production. I also want an accessible fitness watch that can count my laps and strokes and be a regular step counter without too much hassle.
Have a eleven year old with Starquardt’s disease. Used the stick method last year. Would this work for him? Cost?
Building a sensor that could rest on the wall would be a cool next step.