Body Voice: A Wearable Instrument for Dancers to Create Music

Redesigning the Relationship Between Music and Dance

Inspired by the idea of dance creating music instead of following it, the Body Voice challenges the traditional notion of how music and dance interact. While dance is often seen as a form of artistic expression that follows the rhythm of the music, the Body Voice empowers dancers to take control of the music creation process.

The Body Voice consists of wireless Bluetooth clips, an app, and a Bluetooth speaker. The clips, equipped with gyro-sensors and acceleration sensors, can be attached anywhere on the dancer's body to capture their movements digitally. These movements are then transmitted to a mobile phone via a Bluetooth 3.0 chip.

Once the movements are collected on the app, dancers can modify and convert them into music using the Unity software. The app allows users to define dance moves that correspond to specific sounds, customize their actions, and select music tracks. The final composition can be played through the Bluetooth speaker, creating a unique and immersive experience.

The Body Voice's innovative technology and design make it a truly unique instrument for dancers. The wireless clips are compact and lightweight, measuring 30*24*14.6mm, allowing for easy attachment and freedom of movement. The Bluetooth speaker, measuring 140*125*180.4mm, delivers high-quality sound and can be easily connected to a mobile phone.

One of the key features of the Body Voice is its versatility. Dancers can choose between solo mode or ensemble mode, allowing them to perform individually or collaborate with others. While the solo mode runs on a smartphone, the ensemble mode requires multiple users to connect their phones to a computer and run the Unity software.

The Body Voice project began in Taiwan in November 2017 and was completed in June 2018. Throughout the design process, the team faced various challenges, including finding the most effective way to capture dance movements. Initially, they experimented with gloves embedded with sensors, but after receiving feedback from dancers, they switched to using clips as motion detectors, which proved to be more successful.

The Body Voice has received recognition for its innovative design and contribution to the field of digital devices. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Digital and Electronic Device Design category in 2021. This prestigious award honors designs that demonstrate creativity, technical skill, and a commitment to improving quality of life through art, science, design, and technology.

The Body Voice is not only a technological marvel but also a testament to the power of creativity and innovation in the world of art, architecture, design, and technology. By redefining the relationship between music and dance, it opens up new avenues for artistic expression and pushes the boundaries of what is possible in the world of dance.