Joseph Paradiso, Mark Feldmeier

Abstract

We are developing a set of very low-cost, wireless, wearable sensors that enable a large group of people (e.g., hundreds or thousands) to participate in an interactive musical performance. The sensors themselves are switchbased accelerometers that transmit a narrow RF pulse upon detecting extremes of limb motion. Although we plan to distinguish between sensors on the upper and lower body by using a different carrier frequency and roughly zone the locations of activity through carrier strength, we do not plan to independently ID each performer, but instead measure and react to the characteristics of ensemble behavior. We are currently building this system and starting to develop algorithms that use these data to explore techniques of mapping largegroup, real-time musical interaction.