Telstra’s Touch and Track Device™
- therookiereporters
- Jul 8
- 3 min read
Learn about Telstra’s new accessibility device. Thousands of Australia’s football fans with visual impairments are now able to experience the game like never before at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium.
AFL Breakdown:
For those unaware of what Australian football is (commonly called “Footy”), it’s a full-contact sport similar to Gaelic Football or Rugby. With a total of 36 players on the field, the ellipsoidal-shaped football moves quickly around the oval in two ways: a drop-kick style kick and handballs. When it comes to scoring, players aim to kick the football through a set of goalposts. Each team has 4 goalposts located at opposite ends of the pitch. Depending on which goalposts the ball is kicked between changes the amount of points the goal is worth- either one or six points.
Touch and Track:
AFL's new Touch and Track technology, shown above and developed with Telstra, is an accessibility tool designed to assist fans with visual impairments in enjoying the game. The Australian-first invention was used for the first time last month at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium. The device, approximately 25 cm in size, tracks on-field ball movement using a tactile map of the field. The surface of the device features small divots (called bedossing) in the layout of the football field so that users can be aware of the gameplay in relation to the ground layout. A circular magnet is used on the textured field model where users can rest their finger in. The magnet then moves around the device, guiding the user's finger, and representing the location of the ball. Further, the device even features a vibration function which utilises an array of patterns to convey on-field moments such as a goal or behind being scored, marks taken, possession changes and has two distinct patterns signifying which team has the ball. Below is a key for the different vibrations felt.
In order for Telstra and Marvel Stadium to achieve this, the device’s system is connected to 14 high-mounted cameras which pinpoint the exact location of the football and transmit it to the device using Telstra’s stadium Wifi. It can also be paired with a radio device for live game commentary, creating a more immersive experience. Telstra reports it to have centimeter-level accuracy, helping fans to understand the gameplay. To nail this tool, Telstra encouraged and worked with the visually impaired community to better understand their needs and how they can be met. It also enabled a large number of people to understand how to use the device, making it more accessible and known in the community. Each device can last up to 180 minutes of continuous play, more than enough for AFL’s roughly 2-hour game.
How to access the Telstra Touch and Track Device?
There are two ways fans can access the device on game day at Marvel Stadium: Pre-booking or hiring at the ground. In order to pre-book the device, users must visit the Marvel Stadium website and fill out a quick form in which they confirm which game they will be using the device for. If choosing to hire the device on the day, users can pick up the device from its location at Gate 1 Guest Services, pending availability. Users will also need a valid ID, which will be held by guest services while the device is in use.
What do people think about the device?
On Telstra’s website, a Western Bulldogs supporter, Shaun Keath, said, “It’s like finally being able to follow the game, not just the noise. It’s honestly pretty incredible to see how far the Telstra Touch and Track has come. As someone with low vision, it’s powerful to see this kind of technology giving our community the chance to not just hear or imagine the game, but to feel it unfold as it happens. I’ve always loved footy, and having it become more accessible means that more fans like me can be part of the action in a way we never could before.”
This development is a massive step towards making AFL a more inclusive, accessible sport to all fans, helping all Australians enjoy its game. Telstra claims there are over 450,000 people in Australia who have low or no vision and expects this number to continue growing. This is why it’s important for Australia to keep making strides to become more accessible for the visually impaired community and we hope that this tool can be brought nationwide.
Article written by Olivia Myers
