Newcastle United is revolutionizing the way deaf or hard of hearing fans experience the sound of St. James Park, the team’s stadium, through an innovative initiative that involves specially designed shirts with haptic technology. The shirts are equipped with microphones that capture the sounds around the field and convert them into tactile sensations in real time using special software.
These groundbreaking shirts will be available for people with hearing loss to experience during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur on April 13, marking a first in the history of world football. The data is transmitted wirelessly to the shirt through an antenna and chip embedded in the fabric, which acts as an electronic brain. Haptic motors within the shirt vibrate in resonance with the stadium noise, providing a unique sensory experience for hearing-impaired users.
A study by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) found that 71 percent of deaf and hard of hearing individuals believe that new technologies can enhance the match experience and make live sporting events more accessible. Sela’s initiative with haptic t-shirts is a testament to their commitment to leveraging innovation for accessibility.
The technology will be available at future Newcastle United home matches, with hopes of inspiring other football clubs in the Premier League and beyond to adopt similar initiatives. This project showcases how technology can create inclusive and immersive experiences for all fans, regardless of their hearing abilities.
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