Jambo: The world’s first rideable instrument.

Jambo: The world’s first rideable instrument.

Jambo: The world’s first rideable instrument.

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RESPONSIBILITIES
Sound Interaction
Sound Interaction
Physical Prototyping
Physical Prototyping
DELIVERABLES

Interactive Prototype

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INTRO

Longboard dancing looks cool, can it sound cool, too?

Jambo was inspired by our love of longboard dancing - a form of skateboarding best described as flowy, rhythmic, and expressive.

So why can’t longboards actually sing with every move? We feel that with the musical nature of this art, there must be a more immersive, multisensory interface for dancers to express themselves.

We created a working, music instrument that enables riders to express their skating through sound.

Jambo was inspired by our love of longboard dancing - a form of skateboarding best described as flowy, rhythmic, and expressive.

So why can’t longboards actually sing with every move? We feel that with the musical nature of this art, there must be a more immersive, multisensory interface for dancers to express themselves.

We created a working, music instrument that enables riders to express their skating through sound.

Jambo was inspired by our love of longboard dancing - a form of skateboarding best described as flowy, rhythmic, and expressive.

So why can’t longboards actually sing with every move? We feel that with the musical nature of this art, there must be a more immersive, multisensory interface for dancers to express themselves.

We created a working, music instrument that enables riders to express their skating through sound.

product video

Concept

A music layer of self-expression.

A music layer of self-expression.

A music layer of self-expression.

  • Instead of following an existing beat, riders can generate their own music.

  • Hands-free, heart-free

  • Instead of following an existing beat, riders can generate their own music.

  • Hands-free, heart-free

  • Instead of following an existing beat, riders can generate their own music.

  • Hands-free, heart-free

Jambo anatomy

Jambo as a MIDI controller...

Jambo as a MIDI controller...

Jambo as a MIDI controller...

Click on each component to explore the sensors on Jambo!

Click on each component to explore the sensors on Jambo!

Click on each component to explore the sensors on Jambo!

When ridden, a suite of sensors embedded within the board record the behavior of a rider and transmit the signal to a device running DAW audio software, creating music with the imprint of a rider’s style.


When ridden, a suite of sensors embedded within the board record the behavior of a rider and transmit the signal to a device running DAW audio software, creating music with the imprint of a rider’s style.


When ridden, a suite of sensors embedded within the board record the behavior of a rider and transmit the signal to a device running DAW audio software, creating music with the imprint of a rider’s style.


Explore

Purchase

Configuration

Analytics



As a MIDI instrument in a longboard, Jambo is at a unique intersection between longboard dancers and music producers. This dual audience would result in users from both backgrounds bringing in expertise from their “worlds”, where skill sets can be combined to co-create new styles of expression.

As a MIDI instrument in a longboard, Jambo is at a unique intersection between longboard dancers and music producers. This dual audience would result in users from both backgrounds bringing in expertise from their “worlds”, where skill sets can be combined to co-create new styles of expression.

As a MIDI instrument in a longboard, Jambo is at a unique intersection between longboard dancers and music producers. This dual audience would result in users from both backgrounds bringing in expertise from their “worlds”, where skill sets can be combined to co-create new styles of expression.

Target Users

Intersectionality: Merging Two Worlds

Jambo is likely the first time that users are introduced to either longboard dancing, music production, or both. Therefore, making Jambo easy to use for beginners yet versatile enough for maestros was important when developing its interactions. Seymour Papert’s model of low floors, high ceiling, and wide walls model was a guiding principle behind Jambo’s design.

Prototyping

First working prototype in a month

First working prototype in a month

First working prototype in a month

using an ESP-32 microcontroller, homemade pressure sensors, and plenty of impromptu testing.

using an ESP-32 microcontroller, homemade pressure sensors, and plenty of impromptu testing.

using an ESP-32 microcontroller, homemade pressure sensors, and plenty of impromptu testing.

Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process

Auto-Loading Purchased Devices

Automatically imports purchased devices into the portal so users can begin configuring them even before physical delivery.

Improvement area 3: Music Interaction with endless possibilities

Improvement area 3: Music Interaction with endless possibilities

Improvement area 3: Music Interaction with endless possibilities

Wasted Time on Waiting

Dealers had to wait until the physical devices arrived to begin the provisioning process, which prolonged the wait time for customers to receive their service.

Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process

Step-by-Step Guided Setup Wizard

Introduces a wizard to guide users through the setup process in the correct sequence.


Improvement area 3: Music Interaction with endless possibilities

Improvement area 3: Music Interaction with endless possibilities

Improvement area 3: Music Interaction with endless possibilities

Uncertainty on Setup Process

Uncertainty about where to start in the provisioning portal, but not following an optimal setup sequence can lead to additional manual work.

Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process

Optimized Workflow Logic

Create template users to apply pre-configured settings to multiple devices, saving time on recurring setups.

  • Use cloning features to replicate configurations from an existing user or device, ensuring consistency across teams.

  • Batch configure multiple devices at once, reducing repetitive manual steps while retaining flexibility for unique needs.


Improvement area 3: Music Interaction with endless possibilities

Improvement area 3: Music Interaction with endless possibilities

Improvement area 3: Music Interaction with endless possibilities

Tedious Manual Work

The previous provisioning process required users to manually configure each device one by one, a time-consuming and error-prone approach.

Fabrication

Improvement area 1: More ergonomic & reliable Sensor Pads

Improvement area 1: More ergonomic & reliable Sensor Pads

Improvement area 1: More ergonomic & reliable Sensor Pads

We added a new pad that switch out sample music to add variety to the sonic experience

We added a new pad that switch out sample music to add variety to the sonic experience

We added a new pad that switch out sample music to add variety to the sonic experience