Interactive light, sound, and sensory room

It's not often that we write about individual jobs but a recent installation in London seemed worthy.

When we were contacted back in June, Preston Manor Lower School were looking for a "high tech projector system" for their growing number of autistic children. The room had to remain as a part-time functioning classroom so the soft play padding that you'd usually find in a sensory room couldn't be included, and any pieces of equipment had to be as unobtrusive as possible. This meant that the traditional bubble tube was swapped with a bubble wall, and coloured spotlights replaced with LED strips to provide a colourful wash over the walls.

With only two days to provide a quotation, we promoted a system based on the strength of our Ensemble interactive sensory room controller. It was the combination of wireless sensors and Xbox controllers that caught the eye of the school, and the design of the space was best described as a cross between an interactive light and sound room, and a multi sensory room.

When visiting later in the year I took a few photos for our records, but we were able to use them to mock up what the room would look like. It turned out nicer than a 3D CAD drawing as it's easier for everyone to visualise, including the clutter!

Visualisation of the Preston Manor School interactive light, sound, and sensory room.

While plans had to change due to the location of the newly installed projector, the overall effect was just as we'd hoped. By moving the LED lighting to face upwards the entire room now changes colour, rather than just the walls.

The finished interactive light, sound, and sensory room

As many cables as possible were kept in the existing trunking, and special faceplates were installed to handle the connections from the computer. The result is a very neat finish, one that can easily fulfil both uses of the classroom, and one that we're proud of.

News: Yorkshire firm aims to up its game

If you enjoy playing video games you’ll already be familiar with the satisfaction to be had from a slick move which defeats your enemy, wins you a race or scores a spectacular goal.

But imagine if that same controller or game pad had the power to change the environment around you – lighting, sound, image and video.

A small firm Yorkshire-based firm already has and, as a result, people with severe learning or physical disabilities have been able to enjoy control over their environment or the pleasure of playing music - simply by applying pressure on the buttons on a games console controller.

Frode playing the Xbox Controller

The familiar wireless Xbox controller is incorporated into Apollo Creative’s Ensemble technology which also employs other sensors, switches and pressure pads to trigger sounds or images linked to a theme of the user’s choosing.

“It could be outer space or the rainforest; a musical performance or interactive storytelling session; it really does depend on the images or sounds available as a resource,” said Apollo’s creative director Mark Hildred. “One of the advantages of the Ensemble software is that it’s adaptable and easy to change.”

Often young people with physical disabilities can be put-off by the specialist equipment which can appear to be too childish or emphasise their differences. However, the games controller comes with an inbuilt 'cool' factor, plus the fact that it’s often already familiar.

“We’ve seen youngsters master simple tunes with the controller – and derive a great deal of pleasure from it,” said Mr Hildred.

“I recently encountered a young man who had a very severe physical disability and only really had control over his head movement. With careful positioning of the controller he was able to play the joystick using his chin. In fact he was the best player we met that day, easily out performing the more able bodied performers.”

The Ensemble package has already helped the company reach the final of the ICT Special Educational Needs Solutions category at the British Educational Training & Technology (Bett) Awards in London at the end of the month (Jan 30 – Feb 1), and Mr Hildred has confirmed 2013 could see Apollo widening its appeal in the broader education sector.

“We primarily supply Ensemble equipment to the special needs market, but have a number of situations where it's used in mainstream settings including a pilot project to introduce nursery children to music,” said Mr Hildred.

“We’re hoping the Bett Show and awards in London gives us a platform to promote the concept. The audience will be representing education providers from around the globe so it’s a massive opportunity for us – and we need to make sure we grab it with both hands.

“If you’re serious about learning a musical instrument, then there’s no substitute for the real thing - but let’s say your objective is just to pique the interest of a class of children or to teach them the rudiments of music.

“Wouldn’t it be great if you could hand them something they’re probably already familiar with and associate with fun?”