New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has partnered with Avnet, a US electronics company, to develop a vibrating suit that allows deaf individuals to experience live music. The project was featured in an article by NPR on Tuesday. The suit was tested during a “silent disco” event held at the center, as it is challenging for the deaf to fully enjoy live concerts. While sign language interpreters can provide translations of the songs, they do not capture the essence of the music. The suit, consisting of 24 vibrating plates, provides a range of sensations, from the feeling of raindrops on the shoulders to throbbing in the lower back. The vest contains 20 plates, with four more attached to the wrists and ankles. To explore the suit’s potential, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts hosted an event called “Silent Disco: An Evening of Access Magic,” where participants had the opportunity to try out one of the 75 available suits. The vibrations are controlled by a haptic DJ, who adjusts their position, frequency, and intensity, similar to how a regular DJ mixes music. The suit was well-received by the deaf and hard of hearing community, who reported that it not only vibrated but also haptically conveyed various elements of the music.
