Telstra has launched an Australian-first innovation at Marvel Stadium, bringing the thrill of live Australian Rules Football closer to fans who are blind or have low vision. The groundbreaking “Telstra Touch and Track” technology, which debuted for the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, allows fans to physically experience the ball’s movement during live games, enhancing accessibility and immersion in sports.
Developed in collaboration with Champion Data, Field of Vision, and Vision Australia, the Telstra Touch and Track device is a Wi-Fi-enabled tablet that translates the on-field action into a tactile experience. Users can follow the game by feeling a magnet ring move across a tactile map of the football field, with vibrations indicating crucial moments in play.
FEATURES
- Ring shaped magnet: The device features a small magnet ring that moves across a tactile, CNC-machined map of the footy field.
- Real-time ball tracking: Champion Data’s fully autonomous tracking system employs 14 high-mounted cameras and real-time event data to pinpoint ball movement with centimetre-level accuracy.
- Power of the network: The ring mirrors the position of the ball in near real time, using the speed and low latency of Telstra’s network.
- Vibration signals: Distinct vibrations indicate key game moments, like goals and behinds, so fans can physically feel the action.
- Designed for accessibility: The experience has been co-designed with the blind and low vision community to be intuitive and easy to use.
This innovative solution aims to provide a more engaging and inclusive experience for the over 450,000 Australians living with blindness or low vision. It comes only weeks after Apple announced some major developments in the accessibility space. From Round 15 of the 2025 season onwards, Telstra Touch and Track devices will be available at no cost to fans attending AFL matches at Marvel Stadium. The initiative underscores the power of technology and collaboration in breaking down barriers and fostering a more accessible sporting environment for everyone.
