Yesterday was the news that the Minister of Sport Vincenzo Spadafora had set a date for the restart of Italian football. Matches in empty stadiums, and a bit of sadness for this show that seems to "have" to go on. Even this situation, however, allows us to notice that there are those who have sharpened their ingenuity by still innovating in the field of remote interaction.
And yes, because the fear of another wave of coronavirus cases keeps stadiums closed to the public, and the restart for Serie A is also slowing down. Yet not seeing a match live doesn't mean that you can't still let everyone know a team that is supporting it. Yamaha Remote Cheerer seems to have found a way to allow fans to feel present, and give players the feeling that the stands are full.
Remote Cheerer, cheering becomes remote
Things? Remote Cheerer is essentially a smartphone app that streams sound effects into a stadium. The software allows users to virtually choose which facility to sit in, and activate applause, cheers or other sounds at the touch of a button. The app then sends these noises to one of 58 speakers located around the pitch.
Yamaha has just conducted system tests at the Japanese Shizuoka stadium in a football game between Júbilo Iwata and Shimizu S-Pulse.
“With games without spectators and restrictions on cheering, this system can encourage players on the field by making them feel like they have fans nearby”, said the Jubilo representative Hiromi Yanagihara. “Our club will implement the system at future events.”
Yamaha has no dates yet for implementation in other stadiums. But one thing is certain: even after the return to "normality" the system can have applications, in addition to events without spectators.
“We are working to promote this system as a means to offer cheering and fan support in a wide variety of situations,” said Yuki seto by Yamaha. “There are many scenarios: matches without spectators, but also matches with reduced seating, or bans on visiting teams, etc.”. Remote Cheerer can also serve as a stimulus for fans who are at the stadium, perhaps colder than those who would like to encourage at home.
Check out the video: https://youtu.be/ZsWKaM5bmQs
Will we also see it in Italy?
It remains to be seen whether something like this will take hold in the United States or in Italy for the restart of Serie A. I have my doubts. Let's also say that I am certain that it will not even be taken into consideration. But in Germany, where to replace the fans they have placed cardboard cutouts in the stands, this could arouse interest.
