Japanese company Yamaha has come up with a novel solution to filling those empty stadiums as sporting matches resume, but fans aren’t allowed to watch because of social distancing measures – a new smartphone app.
The Remote Cheerer system allows fans to a match on TV, the radio or online to support – or tell off – players via their phones, with their voices being transmitted through to the stadium in real-time via loudspeakers.
Check out a video for the app here.
A recent field test saw the 50,000-seat Shizuoka Stadium echoing with cheers and boos ahead of the re-start of Japan’s football league later in June or July.
Yamaha said in a statement: “Users were able to gain a sense of being present at the venue, even though it’s a massive stadium”, adding that the app “demonstrated the ability to create a spectator atmosphere similar to that of a real match.”
Still, we’re not sure it tops Australia’s efforts to bring some atmosphere to its soon-to-resume sports.
The NRL is letting fans order a ‘Fan in the Stand’ – a custom-printed cardboard cutout of you that will be placed in your club’s home stadium for just $22, with $1 from every purchase will be donated to the Gotcha4Life Foundation.
Howzat!
