Vibrating cap tells blind swimmers when to turn

The Blind Cap is a high-tech bluetooth cap that vibrates when the swimmer approaches the edge of the pool, telling them to change direction.

We have recently seen a whole host of devices designed to help the visually impaired navigate the world around them via haptic feedback. There are vibrating belts and clip-on ultrasound wearables, and now, Samsung Electronics and creative agency Cheil Spain have created a vibrating swimming hat, especially for blind swimmers competing in the Paralympics.

The Blind Cap is a high-tech bluetooth cap that vibrates when the swimmer approaches the edge of the pool, to tell them to change direction. The hat was designed to be used during the blind swimming competition at the upcoming Paralympics. Blind swimming races have been part of the games since 1960 but previously, the swimmers would be tapped on the head by a long pole by their coach as they approached the end of their length. Now, coaches will simply be able to click a button to let the competitor know that it is time to turn.

Could the Blind Cap be adapted to inform the swimmer automatically, meaning it could be used without a coach?