BeatBall is an intuitive, innovative, and portable sound mixer and speaker. Upload your clips to BeatBall and start mixing using hand gestures and movements. BeatBall incorporates advanced capacitive sensing technology along with an interactive audio mixing software to deliver a unique and cool way to mix audio clips.

 

Almost all mixers available today utilize tens of intimidating knobs, gauges, sliders and buttons. We wanted to make a simple looking, yet sophisticated mixer that responds to simple hand movements and gestures. Utilizing the geometry of a dodecahedron, each of the side panels can be programmed to play a beat or a clip upon touching. The proximity of a hand to a certain panel determines the audio level for the relevant clip.

We are also incorporating a gyroscope so that certain audio effects (such as echo, fuzz bass, distortion, and reverberation) are activated upon the rotation of BeatBall.

Demo for Beatball.v 01:

After the successful fabrication and testing of BeatBall 1, and to make BeatBall even more invincible, we decided to create a new version with a refined design that offers more features such as :

  • Portability
  • Wireless connection through mobile app
  • Wireless charging
  • In-built High-quality Stereo Speakers
  • Dual-Microphone Array (for voice and beat recording)
  • Built-in gyroscope and accelerometer
  • 3.5mm Audio Jack (The world is not ready for an alternative)
Beatball 2 Components
Beatball 2 Components

Detailed Specs

  • Dimensions: 240mm long x 225mm wide x 200mm high
  • Weight: approx. 600g, 1.3lb
  • Body material: Acrylic (Poly(methyl methacrylate))
  • Processor: Raspberry PI ZERO W
  • Connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n wireless LAN, Bluetooth 4.1, BLE
  • Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-ion
  • Battery life: 10 hours
  • Power: Qi-compatible wireless charger (included)
  • Charger Power Source: AC (110-230V)
  • Patent pending

Here’s where you can help! We are launching a Kickstarter campaign to fund the development and fabrication of BeatBall 2. Unlike the first version, BeatBall 2 is much more sophisticated and involves higher quality materials and advanced electronics. The amount we are seeking is relatively small (€ 1500), but given our limited financial resources as graduate students, we need your help to fund the project.

The raised money will be solely directed to the following expenses:

Campaign Budget Distribution
Campaign Budget Distribution

 

 

Rewards
Rewards

 

 

 

BeatBall was developed by four graduate students at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) in the Advanced Architecture programme. We were enrolled in an intensive physical computation course in which we learned advanced prototyping and electronics.

Business Model Canvas

 

Risks and challenges

We have been working on BeatBall for several months and have a great team of designers on board along with excellent fabrication partner in Barcelona, Spain. We are confident that the new improved can be fabricated to a higher standard in large production quantity.

Most of the materials and components are procured locally, however, we source some electronics from suppliers located in the US. Delivery time for those electronics take around 1 week if the customs clearance process goes smoothly.

Although we do not foresee major production issues, estimated dispatch time for some of the rewards may be later than anticipated (by couple of weeks) due to unforeseen shipping and clearance issues.

 

Submission for SE.7 – Kickstarting Innovation

Students:

Shruti Jalodia

Hayder Mahdi

Tutor: Anna Pla Català