01 / Capture
Start with sound.
Microphones or audio feeds capture the music, performers and atmosphere of your event.
CuteCircuit / Wearable haptics
SOUNDSHIRT.
Feel sound.
Together.
Music / Sport / Shared experiences
Every beat.
Every cheer.
The energy of a live moment, felt through your whole body.
Discover SoundShirt
Sound becomes touch
A new way
to feel it.
SoundShirt™ translates sound into touch in real time. Haptic actuators integrated into the fabric bring music, voices and the energy of a crowd to different parts of the body.
From orchestras to football stadiums, it brings people together through a shared, multisensory experience.
28High-resolution haptic actuators
WirelessFreedom to move and feel
WearableTechnology integrated into soft textiles
How it works
A composition
of touch.
Different elements of the sound are mapped across the garment. Strings, percussion and bass become distinct sensations that move with the performance.
02 / Translate
Make it tactile.
CuteCircuit software transforms the audio into haptic data, preserving the changes and energy of the sound.
03 / Feel
Share the moment.
A wireless signal delivers the experience to the shirts. The audience feels the performance as it happens.
01 / Live performance
Every note. Every emotion.
The orchestra and singers become a composition of touch. Microphones capture the live performance, and the music is translated into haptic sensations that are broadcast wirelessly to SoundShirts in the audience.
Together with surtitles or sign language interpretation, SoundShirt adds the feeling of the music to the opera experience. The programme is made possible by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Innovation Initiative and supported in part by the League of Chicago Theatres and ComEd.
02 / Stadiums
Feel the roar.
The energy of St. James’ Park, felt across the body. SoundShirt brings the roar of the crowd to deaf and hard of hearing supporters, connecting fans through the atmosphere of a live match.
The SoundShirt antenna and control software are installed in the stadium control room, translating live sound into touch and transmitting it wirelessly to the shirts worn by supporters.
03 / Immersive music
Inside the music.
Spatial sound, light and touch come together in a shared festival experience. A special SoundShirt edition made with perforated smart textiles brings the music to the body while keeping audiences comfortable.
Festivalgoers could rent SoundShirts and experience the performances together with friends. The shirts were fully booked during headline acts, with audiences queuing to try them.
Beyond the stage
Wherever
sound takes you.
Bring another dimension to recorded music, gaming, immersive art and storytelling. Artists can compose with touch, while museums and venues can make it part of the experience.
SoundShirt installations include Lyric Opera of Chicago, Wuppertal Opera, Navy Pier Chicago, Omaha Performing Arts, The AND Dance Company in Amsterdam and Newcastle United.
04 photographs / Scroll to explore
Design / Innovation / Inclusion
Celebrated
worldwide.
SoundShirt was named a TIME Best Invention in 2020 and received the 2025 Webby Award for Best Wearable & Connected Device, alongside international recognition for design and inclusion.
SoundShirt / Newcastle United
Unsilence the Crowd
Awards for the collaboration bringing the match-day atmosphere to deaf and hard of hearing supporters through SoundShirt.
Made to be worn
Smart textiles.
Human design.
Soft, lightweight and washable, SoundShirt integrates haptic technology into a garment designed for movement and repeated use.
- Haptics
- 28 high-resolution actuators translate sound into touch.
- Connectivity
- Wireless streaming, with venue antennas for live installations.
- Software
- CuteCircuit software for personal experiences and professional performance setups.
- Design
- Smart textiles with integrated electronics and a washable construction.
Your questions
Let’s make
it happen.
What type of venues use SoundShirt?
Concert halls, opera houses, stadiums, festivals and museums. We work with your team to create a setup for your space and audience.
What does an installation include?
Antenna installation, software setup, garments and staff training, with ongoing technical support and updates.
Can we start with a small number of shirts?
Yes. A venue can begin with a smaller deployment and expand as its audience grows. Contact us to discuss the scale of your project.
Can SoundShirt be washed?
Yes. SoundShirt is designed to be washable. Follow the care instructions supplied with your garment.
How do we get started?
Tell us about your venue, event or creative project, and we will work with you on a SoundShirt package.