The Soundshirt allows a deaf person to feel music on their skin and experience a live symphonic concert for the first time. Just by looking at the reactions of the deaf members of the audience in the video we can see how their expression becomes enchanted and joyful, this tactile full immersion in music is something that truly allows the experience of a live concert to be finally shared by everyone.
The Soundshirt features 16 micro-actuators embedded in the fabric of the garment, these actuators receive wirelessly and in real-time the music, transformed in data, that is captured on stage while the orchestra is playing. In this way the violins can be felt on the arms and the drums on the back creating a fully immersive feeling for a deaf audience member.
Essentially the entire composition comes to life as a language composed of a series of haptic (touch-like) sensations across the torso of the person wearing the shirt. The design of the shirt is comfortable and made of soft stretch fabric, there are no wires in the garment as it is built using the most advanced smart textiles and wearable technology.
What you hear… I can feel!