Mark Feldmeier, Mateusz Malinowski, Joseph A. Paradiso

Abstract

We have developed a set of low-cost, wireless motion sensors that enable a large group of dancers to participate concurrently in a real-time, interactive musical performance. These sensors are either worn or held by participants and transmit a short RF pulse at the extremes of limb motion. The RF pulses are received by a base station and analyzed to detect rhythmic features and estimate the general activity level of the group. These data are then used to generate music that can either lead or follow the participants’ actions, thereby tightening the feedback loop between music and dancer.