New Spatial Audio System Allows Low-Vision Tennis Fans to Better Follow Australian Open

Tennis Australia and AKQA developed the system in partnership with Monash University

Inspiration meets innovation at Brandweek, the ultimate marketing experience. Join industry luminaries, rising talent and strategic experts in Phoenix, Arizona this September 23–26 to assess challenges, develop solutions and create new pathways for growth. Register early to save.

A pioneering audio system debuting at the Australian Open this week seeks to translate live ball position data from tennis matches into spatial sound effects to make it easier for blind and low-vision fans to follow the action.

The stream is called Action Audio, and it was developed through a partnership between digital agency AKQA, Tennis Australia and Monash University in Melbourne. It uses real-time information to recreate three-dimensional sound to give listeners a sense of the speed and trajectory of the ball, its proximity to the line and shot types of different players.

The

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

To Read the Full Story Become an Adweek+ Subscriber

View Subscription Options

Already a member? Sign in