46 vibrating intensities are available . By producing these different vibrations at each of the 24 points in the wearable harness , Belquer was able to capture the melody and rhythm of a musical piece .
“ We ’ ve been able to spread 3,990 frequencies across five octaves in each of the actuators , which we ’ ve embedded in a wearable vest ,” Belquer says . “ The combination of different frequencies across multiple actuators produces interesting harmonic textures , while the amplitude components in the actuators correspond to the dynamics of the music . We ’ ve also attached a small sub-woofer on the back to provide an oomph factor for bolder vibrations .”
He presented his haptic prototype to the Music : Not Impossible team and the project ’ s primary backer , Skullcandy , a maker of wireless ear buds , in 2014 . The haptic tracks were composed by Belquer to synchronize with music from Bach to Wiz Khalifa . The model impressed his fellow team members , impelling Ebeling to insist that Belquer and his young family move to Los Angeles .
“ Mick said , ‘ I ’ m buying you tickets right now ,’” Belquer recalls . “ Two days later , my wife , daughter , and I relocated to live in his back house for seven months before getting our own place nearby .”
In March , the newest version of the haptic device was released for public dissemination at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York . “ The show features a dozen musical artists who have created experiences using our platform ,” says Belquer . The artists include Levi Patel , Candida Borges , Robbie Wilde , and Chase Burton , among others . Audience members have the opportunity to wear the harness , which now includes
“ Our theory is , the more we listen to music with our skin , the more sophisticated our brains will become in interpreting that music .”
— Mick Ebeling , founder and CEO , Not Impossible Labs wrist and ankle bands with embedded haptic actuators .
While the technology offers a uniquely tactile and visceral way for deaf people to enjoy music , the hope is to scale the product commercially so that all people will be able to do the same , augmenting their listening pleasure though skin vibrations that make music a more immersive experience .
A hundred years from now , Ebeling says people may become accustomed to receiving music as textured vibrations through their skin . “ Our theory is , the more we listen to music with our skin , the more sophisticated our brains will become in interpreting that music .”
Ebeling is referring to the brain ’ s neuroplasticity , the ability to adapt to new stimuli and change accordingly . “ We might even begin to prefer the experience of listening with our skin , absorbing it through thousands of skin pores instead of just two holes in our heads . It ’ s certainly not impossible .”
Nothing absurd about that at all . ■