In an incident reminiscent of the infamous "Pokemon Shock" a decade ago, a U.K. vision technology company is warning British broadcasters that the animated London 2012 Olympics logo can trigger epileptic seizures in some TV viewers.
The new logo--which has drawn public scorn for its design--was introduced earlier this week in the U.K. It features flashing and moving elements that a U.K. vision technology company says violates guidelines on flashing and regular patterns regulated by U.K. broadcast regulatory agency OfCOM. Cambridge Research Systems, a U.K. based company dealing in vision science technology, says when the flashing logo was shown on TV and the Web this week, it triggered "the largest number of TV induced epileptic seizures ever seen in the U.K." News reports estimated that up to 25 people were affected with epileptic fits, vomiting and migraines.
In evaluating the flashing animation, Cambridge Research Systems used its Harding Flash and Pattern Analyser, which found that the video contravened the OfCOM guidelines on at least 126 frames. "This analysis clearly shows the risk factor was off the scale," said Tom Robson, company CEO.
London 2012, which commissioned the design, removed the animated logo and says it will be re-designed.
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