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Adrien Guenette Might Be Onto Something with His Gesture-Controlled Music Player

By Ray Hu - May 25, 2011

in Object Culture

While I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I have yet to go for a run this year (in my defense, I've been biking a lot) despite the pleasant weather lately, Adrien Guenette's "Beat" might just get me back into the groove.

The gesture-controlled music player is the graduating senior's final project towards his degree from Emily Carr University of Art & Design. That's right, "Beat" is part iPod Nano with Nike+ and part Wiimote, bundled in a wristwatch and ring. Guenette explains:Current devices on the market are difficult to use while on the go—finding the right button to press without stopping or struggling to use a touchscreen with sweaty hands. Using an innovative gesture interface, Beat seamlessly integrates into the running experience and puts you back in control.

I wish the video was more a demo than a teaser, but it does the job:

If the video is any indication, the user experience is excellent—"as you run, Beat tells you your time, distance, pace and heart rate"—and while I (personally) have never been interested in a personal trainer, "Beat" seems to do a good job in terms of "real-time voice feedback." The integrated wristband USB is also a nice touch.

No word on if / when it will be on the market...

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Liz Q

13 years ago

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It would be handy to have bluetooth or some similar headphone/ear piece so the cord was no there on something like this. Is that a plastic strap? If so would it not get itchy when sweating? Great design, looks fantastic!
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ernest.studio

13 years ago

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I hope it can be configured to lefty's... and locked because I hand bash to a lot of music! But still come on with the styling, a watch as music player? obviously not creative lefty. How bout a music player as a neck collar? Now thats how the streets should be jiving!
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Scott stephens

13 years ago

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Hi Adrien I love this product and believe that it would be very strong in the current Market place. I am a personal trainer from the uk and think that this has huge potential. The desgin is innovative and sleek. I wish you all the luck in the future. If you do decide to take it to the next level I will be more than happy to promote this in the uk.
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Adrien Guenette

13 years ago

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The gestures were derived from a workshop exploring the most intuitive method of interaction while running. During testing it proved to be more successful than physical buttons. I think it's important to mention that gesture control was designed to fit into the running experience - an expressive motion during a high energy activity instead of something like a delicate tap.

http://beatnow.com
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M4RK

13 years ago

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If you have to find a small button on a ring, why not just make that button perform the actions? You would only need to buttons to make all Play/pause/forward/back/volume up down functions...

This gesture up and down might make for a good x-rated kinect game....
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Duane Brown

13 years ago

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Well the button helps.. but if you are running it's not exactly easy to keep your hand steady and perform a certain motion. It would really depend on how well the technology is.. too sensitive and it would probably only work half the time and on the other end it wouldn't do anything half the time.
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shane

13 years ago

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i'm not convinced yet that gesture based controls have purpose, they seem more novelty than utility. The only experience I have with it is my ipod. and I must say I dislike the feature entirely. How is fist pumping in different directions more intuitive or easier than pushing a physical button?.
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Mike Farnham

13 years ago

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My number one problem with the last generation ipod nano was the shake shuffle, it took me a week to figure out why my songs were changing on me. For me I want something I can touch, and I love the addition of the volume button on the earbuds.

This concept is nice since there is a button to initiate the gesture. @Simon Wawrzak haha "Hey lady, oh sorry just checking my stats!"
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Mediumjones

13 years ago

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A nice concept and I think they have certainly defined a common problem among runners and portable music players. However, I partially agree with Duane whereas the running motion conflicts with the gesture motions. Using a separate button to activate a gesture control doubles the interaction necessary to control the device.

I believe Apple adressed this with by increasing the size of their control pad on the front of iPod shuffle. Sadly, the iPod shuffle is incapable of supporting Nike+ or any additional statistical info.

It seems like voice-control or some other gesture unrelated to running might be the solution here. How about snapping your fingers, or winking? I could just see, some fella' running by shouting "NEXT TRACK! NEXT TRACK!!" and winking profusely.
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Andrew Zo

13 years ago

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re: Duane Brown,
there is a button on the ring (that comes with the watch) that acts a trigger to your gesture control
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Duane Brown

13 years ago

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Am I missing something here? While you are running.. your hands move in different directions.. So you will be pausing/playing changing songs as you run by mistake.
This looks like a giant fail.
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Simon Wawrzak

13 years ago

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Great concept and nice presentation, hope it will be produced eventually.
However checking the "stats" might get you into some troubles while using this equipment in public lol:).

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