Wandertroper

Abstract

In this paper we present the design and evaluation of Wandertroper, a mobile system designed to support reengagement with everyday surroundings during daily walks. Wandertroper generates real-time sound based on the spectromorphology of the inhabited soundscape, which is manipulated by how the user walks. Through an iterative participatory design process using semi-structured group discussions and 'in-the-wild' evaluations, we outline how design aspects, such as the degree of output abstraction and aesthetic personalisation of use, facilitated users' engagement with everyday surroundings. We discuss how Wandertroper turned daily walks into personallymeaningful aesthetic experiences.

“I was Holding a Magic Box”: Investigating the Effects of Private and Projected Displays in Outdoor Heritage Walks

“…Thus, Claude glasses connected visitors' bodily actions to their surroundings, changed their perception and aesthetic experience of the landscape. A more recent example is the 'Wandertroper' [46], which uses the location responsive sound to encourage and enhance the experience of exploratory walking. The location responsive sound explicitly and continuously interlinks the users' body movement to the surroundings.…”

What Can We Expect from Navigating?

“…and an environment engagement device (in this case a colour sensor). It is designed to enhance its user's ability to interact with an environment, influencing how they choose to navigate through space [27]. The in-home device, called a Periplus ( Figure 5) displays the data in an indirect manner that approaches data physicalisation, casual visualisation and ambient displays [14,30,33] in lieu of a screen.…”