Communications of the ACM
New Bluetooth Application Will Let Sports Fans Share Experiences in Real Time
Credit: zimbio.com
Researchers at the University of Glasgow are using ad hoc networking to make direct phone-to-phone communication possible in real-world settings without sending messages. The team has developed computer programs that will allow a sports fan in a stadium to reach up to seven other users at the same time, without using mobile phone masts.
In harnessing Bluetooth, the approach enables mobile phones to share banter, photos, and video clips instantly and free of charge, without using a network. Using mobile phones in a stadium is often difficult because there is a lot of interference, and messages can take a long time to be delivered. "If a disputed goal is scored or a yellow card awarded, you want to hear what others have to say about it straight away, from their vantage point in the stadium," says project director Matthew Chalmers. "It's really about extending a social networking philosophy to sports stadia and giving spectators a richer experience by making them feel better connected with each other."
The new technology could be ready for the market within two years, and also could be used in emergency healthcare situations.
From Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council
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