The Cognitive Perception of a Multi-room Music System with Spatial Interaction

In recent years we have seen a growing interest in exploring spatial interaction as a means of interacting with computer systems through what has been labelled “proxemic interaction”. In order to explore the potentials and challenges of spatial interaction spanning across separate physical locations, we have developed a multi-room music system and performed a field evaluation of use. The system extends Apple AirPlay to allow spatial interaction with one’s music player, for example, adapting an App interface to the current location of the user, and allowing music to follow the user around the house. The prototype was deployed in two households over a three-week period, where data was collected through logging, user-written diaries and interviews. The field evaluation revealed a number of findings related to the cognitive perception of the spaces it was used in, such as importance of a simple interaction, the importance of providing local interaction, the challenge of foreground and background interactions, and challenges in designing interaction with music in discrete zones.