2026-27 Capstone

Auditory experience

Realistic rendering of music laser experience generated by Gemini using original sketch by Matthew Colton

This conjecture connects to the bonding experience of making music that the Lullaby Project gives to parents (Lullaby Project, n.d.). It would make the car a space for creative play and include an activity of learning in the backseat and could even include instructions or tutorials on how kids can learn music. This concept also combines with the known impact that music education has on a child's development and maturation (Gersema, 2016). The activity would keep children occupied in the backseat and could even include sensors in the front seat that allow for a parent to participate along with them.

Original sketch for Gemini input made by Matthew Colton

I think music making in the car could be a really fun avenue to explore down in the future and could even be possible to make something like this with help from ETS or ACCAD who may have experience with things like this.

Potential Issues

I would say that some of the main and most obvious issues with this concept is the possible annoyance of sound that it could be generating for other passenger and most obviously, it could be a huge distraction for the driver and alter their view. However I feel that there is a lot of potential for a music making interaction in the car for children. There are many other possible applications of technology like this that I could use to solve the visual distraction and the sound issue could be solved simply by localizing the sound to the backseat so only passengers in the back can hear the sound being made.

This system would also be a good example of a reactive controls that could be applied to other interactive surfaces and screens on the car for easier access and convenient use. A new, experimental form of controls like this in the car is certainly something I have seen before but not on this scale.

References

Gersema, E. (2016, June 20). Children’s brains develop faster with music training. today.usc.edu. https://today.usc.edu/childrens-brains-develop-faster-with-music-training/

Lullaby Project | Carnegie Hall. carnegiehall.org. (n.d.). https://www.carnegiehall.org/Education/Programs/Lullaby-Project

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