# Drone-Powered Badminton Accessories A Drone Makes Badminton Accessible to the Visually Impaired By Francesca Mercurio | Published 2021-09-07 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drone References: [designboom](https://www.designboom.com/technology/drone-device-visually-impaired-play-badminton-09-02-2021/) An innovative drone device now enables the visually impaired to play badminton. A team of students at Japan's [University of Tsubuka](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modified-drone) have developed a technologically advanced device that uses a drone to replace a badminton shuttlecock. Dubbed the Drone Badminton device, the [Digital Nature Group](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-minimalist) interviewed a group of [visually impaired individuals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vision-bone-conduction-headset) to understand better the difficulties they face when playing mid-air sports. After targeting certain obstacles - the visibility and speed of the ball - the students came up with a unique drone replacement. The drone's speed can be adjusted and emits distinctive flight sounds that help locate the object mid-flight. The drone comes complete with special rackets that identities the drone ball through a sensor system. The design team believes this new device has the potential to be used in a wide array of sports and physical activities. Image Credit: Digital Nature Group, [designboom](https://www.designboom.com/technology/drone-device-visually-impaired-play-badminton-09-02-2021/), [designboom](https://www.designboom.com/technology/drone-device-visually-impaired-play-badminton-09-02-2021/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 10% | Activity: 52% | Freshness: 10% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Sports](https://www.trendhunter.com/sports) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Drone-replacement for Mid-air Sports:** Innovative drone replacements for various mid-air sports like badminton and tennis can help make these sports more inclusive for visually impaired players. - **Sensors and Drones for Sports:** Combining sensors with drones can create innovative solutions for various sports, making them more accessible to players with disabilities. - **Voice Assistance for Sports:** Voice-integrated drones or sensors can provide audio assistance to visually impaired players while playing sports such as badminton and tennis. ### Where This Applies - **Sports Equipment Manufacturing:** Manufacturers can invest in drone technology and sensors to create innovative sports equipment that makes the game more accessible to players with disabilities. - **Disability Technology:** Specialized technology designed for people with disabilities can create innovative solutions for challenges faced while playing sports. - **Drone Manufacturing:** Drone manufacturers can develop specialized drones for various sports that can be used as a replacement for shuttlecocks and balls to make sports more inclusive. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI-Powered Badminton Trainers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/badminton-trainers.md) - [Hovering Soccer Referee Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/referee-drone.md) - [Ultrasonic Balloon-Borne Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blimp-drone.md) - [Badminton Rally Analysis Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/badminton-zone.md) - [Sustainable Bamboo-Crafted Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bamboo-drone.md) - [Multi-Sensory Sports Commentary Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/accessibility-for-sports-fans.md) - [Biomimicry Bird-Like Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bionic-bird-xfly.md) - [Innovative Tennis Training Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tennis-training-robot.md) - [AI-Powered Tennis Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pongbot-pace-s-series.md)