Blind artist to run Brighton Marathon with AI glasses in world-first
Blind artist to run Brighton Marathon with AI glasses in world-first
Clarke Reynolds, aka Mr Dot, will tackle the 26.2-mile Brighton course with AI-assisted glasses and a team of remote volunteers guiding his every stride.
Clarke Reynolds, known as Braille creative Mr Dot, is set to run the Brighton Marathon with the help of remote volunteers supporting him through tech. This bold plan has been described as a world-first in adaptive running.
The marathon will see Reynolds wear AI-powered glasses linked to a companion app. The device translates course information into cues that he can perceive, while the app coordinates updates and instructions from a network of remote volunteers. These volunteers monitor progress and provide real-time guidance to Reynolds, helping him navigate turns, distances to landmarks, and pacing through the 26.2-mile course. The setup is designed to offer a safety net and flexible support, allowing adjustments on the fly as the race unfolds.
Advocates say the project demonstrates how assistive technology can unlock new possibilities in endurance sport, inspiring others with vision impairment to pursue ambitious goals. Reynolds, who has long blended art with accessibility in his work, frames the marathon as a testament to creativity, resilience, and collaborative innovation.
On race day, supporters will be watching closely to see how smoothly the tech-enabled teamwork operates and whether this model can be scaled for future events. If successful, the Brighton Marathon could become a launching pad for broader adoption of AI-assisted assistive tech in sports.
