Hear with your eyes: Tokyo reinvents live sport

According to a report by the BBC, this year’s Games have become a global testing ground for inclusive technology, transforming how deaf spectators experience live sport. Engineers, designers and deaf users are working together to reimagine atmosphere — from the crack of a bat to the roar of a crowd — in ways that go beyond audio.

Inside the table tennis arena, giant animated Japanese onomatopoeic characters flash above the court, visually mimicking the rhythm and force of each rally. The system translates impact, speed and intensity into bold, expressive text, giving spectators instant context about momentum shifts and decisive points.

Across Tokyo, accessibility innovations extend beyond sport. The BBC reported that transparent sound-to-text screens have been installed in metro stations, while AI-powered transport displays convert announcements and environmental noise into text and sign language.

In competition venues, sound is also transformed into touch. At the judo arena, wearable devices convert movements on the mat into vibrations — light pulses for footwork, stronger sensations for collisions and deep thuds for throws. The result: fans don’t just watch the match, they physically feel it.

Even music has been reimagined. Handheld orb-like devices developed by a Tokyo startup translate sound into light and vibration, allowing users to “embrace” performances through tactile feedback.