"Smart" ball for blind athletes created in Russia

Scientists from the Sensor-Tech laboratory, which deals with technologies for people with disabilities, have created a ball for blind athletes. To make it audible even during a stop, the developers placed special sensors and electric motors inside the ball. They make a loud noise as soon as the ball stops.

“Usually, football players played with a ball with rattles inside. Of course, you can hear him during an active game, but as soon as he rolls somewhere on the field, a problem appears. Blind guys can't find him. We really missed the “smart” ball,” says Nikolai Beregovoy, President of the Federation of Blind Football Players of Russia, with the participation of which the gadget was created.

The work took about two years, the engineers regularly arranged tests with the participation of blind football players and listened to their wishes. The result is a handy gadget suitable for games and training, the charge of which is enough for 2 hours of active play. It is the same size and shape as a regular ball and can be used in various games from football to goalball.

In addition, Sensor-Tech laboratories have developed sensors for football goals for the blind, thanks to which the player can understand by sound where the goal posts and crossbar are.