Facilitating the Development of Interactive Wheelchair Sonifications

In the dynamic world of music and dance, the fusion of technology and inclusivity has opened new horizons for expression and innovation. The research presented in this paper explores the transformative integration of wheelchairs and interactive sonification in dance, breaking conventional boundaries and enhancing the sensory experience of movement and sound. This chapter describes the SonoChairSim tool to aid the process of creating an inclusive, interactive dance environment, where the wheelchair transcends its traditional role to become an instrument of musical expression. The project centres around the development of SonoChair , an interface currently in a prototype stage that translates the movements of wheelchair-bound dancers into sonorous landscapes. This is achieved through motion sensing technology (inertial sensors) and mapping strategies, and has proceeded in the form of progressive interaction sketches. The resultant sonification aligns with the dancer’s movements, encompassing a wide range of dynamic and expressive possibilities.