2024 SXSW innovation award finalist from Asia
The 2024 SXSW Innovation Award’s Best in Show winner is Dot Pad created Dot. It visualizes information for touch, enabling communication for everyone during power outages, even those who are not visually impaired. While most finalists are based in the U.S., four technology groups are from Far East Asia, including China, Japan, and South Korea. Their technologies and societal perspectives are intriguing, and they are making a significant impact.
Maelström is New Standard
In today’s digital age, we are bombarded with a constant stream of information. Drawing inspiration from Marshall McLuhan’s concept of the maelstrom found in Edgar Allan Poe’s “A Descent into the Maelström,” artists Yufan Xie and Mel Lewis have unveiled their latest creation. Teaming up with sound director Ziqian Yin and visual artist Wei Wu, they delve into the realm of navigating information beyond conventional human senses through an interactive masterpiece. “Maelstrom” allegorically captures the predicament of individuals thrust into an information-centric society, grappling with confusion amidst the swirling currents of data overload. By engaging with the central console and maneuvering within the enclosed circular space, participants embark on a journey where sound is transformed into a visual landscape. Through the interpretation of visual, auditory, and spatial cues, viewers can traverse the intricate web of information depicted in the artwork. Recognized as a finalist in the Audio Experience category at the 2024 SXSW, this innovative piece offers a captivating exploration of the modern information age.
Your room is top-notch soundproofing, Justvoice
Whether you’re live streaming on Twitch or immersing yourself in the metaverse, you no longer need a heavily soundproofed recording studio. Thanks to advanced sound separation technology, background noise is effortlessly filtered out while retaining crystal-clear vocals, eliminating the need for cumbersome physical soundproofing setups. Additionally, this innovative solution automatically adapts to the metaverse environment, generating tailored sound effects and ambiance for an unparalleled auditory experience. Powered by low-computation technology with CPU usage below 5%, GAUDIOLAB ensures seamless operation across various devices and platforms, freeing users from performance limitations. With the integration of FALL-E and GAUDIOLAB‘s spatial audio, users can enjoy immersive soundscapes that enhance the realism of the metaverse. GAUDIOLAB’s Justvoice, a product developed by a Korean startup, secured a finalist position in the prestigious Audio Experience category at the 2024 SXSW, showcasing its cutting-edge capabilities. Taking the top spot in the Audio Experience category was SPOKE, a groundbreaking sound mental wellness service hailing from the UK.
Muscle to Music, Project Humanity
One of the finalists in the Interface Design category at the 2024 SXSW is Project Humanity. This technology addresses Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a challenging condition characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons, resulting in progressive loss of bodily movement. This debilitating disease leads to difficulties in motor functions, swallowing, and eventually, breathing, often necessitating the use of ventilators. Sadly, it also renders traditional forms of communication, such as speaking, impossible. However, what if there were alternative methods to facilitate communication for ALS patients? Project Humanity has been at the forefront of researching novel communication avenues, exploring the utilization of gaze-based interactions and developing communication tools leveraging electromyography signals. By detecting subtle shifts in Electromyography Signals, they have successfully translated these into avatar movements within virtual environments. On November 22, 2023, Project Humanity showcased their groundbreaking communication tools and conducted a live demonstration at the Tate Modern, highlighting the potential to revolutionize communication for individuals affected by ALS. Diane Arbus said, “Most people go through life dreading they’ll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They’ve already passed their test in life. They’re aristocrats.”
Visualization of Tactile Sensation, Dot Pad
In the 2024 SXSW Innovation Awards, DOT, a South Korean startup, clinched the top spot. DOT has redefined communication by revolutionizing how information is visualized, paving the way for tactile communication methods. Through DOT’s technology, users can experience various forms of information through touch, including handwriting, sketches, and signatures. The Dot Pad, a product of DOT, translates inputted data into tactile graphics, offering a groundbreaking solution for accessibility and communication. In Busan, South Korea, kiosks equipped with DOT’s tactile graphic technology have been deployed, empowering users with visually impaired capabilities to access transportation information and even create maps. Additionally, DOT’s integration of AI allows for the customization of graphics to suit the needs of Dot Pad users with visual impairments. The ability to seamlessly connect Dot Pad with other devices via Bluetooth enhances its usability and versatility. The transition of images into tactile graphics not only optimizes storage capacity but also signifies a significant advancement in communication, enabling the conveyance of vast amounts of information in a condensed format. As darkness renders vision ineffective, the universal applicability of Dot Pad extends beyond disabilities, proving indispensable in environments with limited visual capabilities.
