New fabric sends touch cues to help soldiers stay silent in combat

Rice University researchers have developed a novel smart textile platform through the startup Actile Technologies that enables fabrics to communicate information via touch rather than visual or auditory signals. Using fluidic logic—air pressure and flow within the fabric instead of electronics—the textiles generate tactile cues such as squeezes, taps, or temperature changes. This approach enhances durability and adaptability, making the fabric functional in challenging environments where electronics might fail. The technology aims to reduce sensory overload by delivering discreet, immediate haptic feedback, allowing users, particularly soldiers, to keep their eyes and ears focused on their surroundings. Actile’s first application targets military use, providing silent, secure communication through wearable garments that feel like normal uniforms but contain hidden channels and conductive fibers to send tactile signals. This innovation helps soldiers receive commands without relying on visual or auditory cues, addressing the cognitive bottleneck caused by information overload in combat zones. The startup has gained recognition as a finalist in NATO’s DIANA accelerator and a competitor in the U.S. Army’s x