Technology / 04.19.23

Crowd Cushion Looks to Bring Back the Pit and Save Lives

Access Staff

Pollstar (04/12/23) Borba, Ryan

A recent college graduate conceived of a high-tech crowd management tool for live performances. Catherine Curtin's Crowd Cushion system basically consists of a cushioned pad that covers barricades at concerts and venues. Built-in sensors facing away from the crowd light up when a certain amount of pressure accumulates, providing venue management and security real-time alerts to potential problems. Each cushion features two sensors that monitor crowd pressure; also supported are real-time displays of cushions in action and text alerts for operators. Crowd Cushion staff are also on hand during events to ensure the technology is functioning properly. Curtin developed Crowd Cushion with the help of New Jersey-based Comprise Technologies, a provider of customer service software for public agencies run by her parents. The first venue to deploy the system was Asbury Park, N.J.'s 4,800-capacity Stone Pony Summer Stage, and general manager Caroline O'Toole said fan response was very positive. "We did over 20 shows there this summer, and by the end of the summer, we had the confidence that this is something we can go out and sell," Curtin noted.

Read the full story from Pollstar.

Tags: Technology , Crowd Management