A new accessibility tool called Audio Radar is being developed and aims to convert 7.1 surround sound from games into directional cues achieved through its LED lights.
In production by Airdrop Gaming, Audio Radar is an accessibility tool designed for the d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing that is to head into crowdfunding stages later this month, The tool uses 7.1 surround sound to visualize the audio as visual cues achieved through using RGB LEDs attached to the user’s display.
It’s not just the LED lighting, but there’s a panel that allows the user to have control over different LED controls. This can be adjusting the colors, brightness, effects, specific LED zones, a master dial, and also assigning presets. While designed for the d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing, the company says that it’s a tool that can be used by all.
The way the tool works allows the user to attach 6 LED strips to the edges of their display. These are connected through cables behind the display and link into the panel for control. While playing a range of supported games, the audio is displayed through the LED panels by having the panels light up in the direction audio is taking place.
The closer the audio, the more the LED panel will light up. The videos on the tool showcase the tool displaying footsteps lighting the panels up slightly and then gunfire lighting a panel up fully if nearby. Supported games range from Call of Duty, Fortnite, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, and more. Although it looks like any game supporting 7.1 surround sound could be compatible.
According to Airdrop Gaming, extensive testing and development has been underway over the last 18-months, although the tool was tested back in 2019 where some d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing players gave the Audio Radar a try.
October 15, 2021, is when the Audio Radar accessibility tool looks to be launching on the crowdfunding platform IndieGoGo. It is also supported for PC, PS5, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X.
