Het Nationale Theater Unveils AI Glasses for Real-Time Subtitles
The Hague, Monday, 19 May 2025.
Het Nationale Theater in The Hague introduced AI glasses providing subtitles in 223 languages, enhancing accessibility for non-native speakers and the hearing impaired, aligning with global accessibility goals.
Groundbreaking Technology Integration
The innovative LiveText system, developed through a collaboration between Het Nationale Theater and XRAI, utilizes Dante technology to provide unprecedented accessibility solutions [1][2]. The system converts live spoken dialogue into real-time subtitles, with the unique feature of color-coding text to identify different speakers [3]. This technological advancement marks a significant departure from traditional theater subtitling methods, which typically relied on manually advancing pre-translated scripts [3].
Technical Implementation
The sophisticated system employs Audinate’s Dante solution to transmit audio to an Avid VENUE | S6L audio desk, which then connects to XRAI’s AI-enabled software, XRAI Stream [3]. The technology delivers subtitles through XREAL Air 2 Pro AR glasses, maintaining ultra-low latency for synchronized viewing [3]. Joshua Rush, Audinate’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the system’s innovative application, noting its potential to expand theatrical experiences [2][3].
Launch Timeline and Accessibility
The official launch is scheduled for June 30, 2025, during the Holland Festival [2]. Following extensive testing throughout summer 2025, the service will be made available free of charge at select performances in The Hague and during tours starting autumn 2025 [1][4]. This initiative aligns with Global Accessibility Awareness Day’s mission, promoting digital access for over one billion people with disabilities or impairments [5].
Future Impact
Het Nationale Theater’s director, Cees Debets, has expressed pride in this world-first innovation, highlighting plans to share the technology with other theaters and producers globally [3]. The implementation extends beyond theatrical performances, with potential applications in international conferences and various live events [4]. The theater’s commitment to accessibility marks a transformative step in making cultural experiences accessible to diverse audiences [1][5].