Cheil Updates Blind Swimmers’ Technique

Ever wondered how blind swimmers practice ahead of the Paralympics?

As they approach the end of a lane, their coach knocks them between the shoulder blades with an extended pole to alert them that the swimming pool wall is fast-approaching and that they need to do a tumble turn.

But this age old practice is outdated and seems a little ridiculous when in action.

Cheil Spain has teamed up with Samsung Electronics to create Blind Cap, a swimming cap initiative that connects blind swimmers to their coaches through the click of a button.

Coaches can now let swimmers know when they’re nearing a wall by simply issuing a warning signal from their Android smartphone which will be converted into a vibration, thanks to the inbuilt Bluetooth technology.

“Blind Cap [is] yet another example of how we’re innovating with Samsung’s mobile technologies to help improve everyday life,” says Chiel’s global CCO Malcolm Poynton.

The initiative is currently being tested by the Spanish Paralympic Committee, but to use it right away, download the Samsung Blind Cap app - available here – in conjunction with the swimming hat. Or to find out more, click here.