SonicSlate: A Walkable Flat-Panel Speaker Interface for Embodied Sound Interaction

We present SonicSlate, a walkable flat-panel speaker interface designed for embodied sound interaction. This low-cost, easy-to-install system integrates conventional modular flooring mechanics, layering auditory information across a space by transmitting sound and vibrations directly from the floor to the body. Unlike traditional 3D audio setups that rely on large or intrusive speaker arrays, SonicSlate delivers an immersive auditory experience without visible hardware, seamlessly extending across rooms through modular flooring. Beyond the interface itself, we explore the interaction design space of SonicSlate, developing a proof-of-concept prototype embedded with a matrix of flat-panel speakers. We provide a brief technical evaluation of the prototype’s spatial audio capabilities and outline unique use cases enabled by its design. We demonstrate how walkable sound interfaces open up new possibilities for spatialized audio experiences that are inherently physical, scalable, and unobtrusive. By integrating sound into floor materials, SonicSlate creates new opportunities for embodied interaction.