Why is this work relevant for Innovation?

It is relevant because we took an earnest, technological approach to the as yet unexplored field of "music education for children with hearing impairment". It is also relevant because—after fully incorporating the insight we achieved on location at the schools—this device had a positive effect on a great number of children and their experience with music.

Background

Approximately 15,800 Japanese children have a hearing impairment. In the past, music teachers have had some difficulty in properly communicating the concept of rhythm to hearing-impaired children. Every student hears in a different way and has differing levels of impairment, which means that one-on-one instruction is necessary. This requires a large investment in time. Music teachers have had to persevere to resolve this issue, but until now, no breakthrough solutions had appeared.

Describe the idea

We developed a device that enables rhythm to be conveyed not through the sense of hearing but through the combined senses of sight and touch. It includes a digital conductor's baton for the instructor and egg-shaped devices for the students which—following the rhythm generated as the instructor waves the baton—use vibration to provide direct feedback to the students in the palms of their hands. By transmitting rhythm via sense of touch, PalmBeat creates an entirely new way to share information on a level much more precise than via hearing aids.

What were the key dates in the development process?

・First visit to a school for hearing: Sep. 2017 ・Explained the concept of PalmBeat: Dec. 2017 ・Completed the device: Sep. 8 (Sat.) 2018 ・Chorus practice using the device: Sep. 10 (Mon.) – Sep. 28 (Fri.) 2018 ・Chorus recital: Sep. 29 (Sat.) 2018 ・Open the website and started publicizing PalmBeat: Feb. 2019

Describe the innovation/technology

When the teacher waves the baton-shaped transmitter, the movements are transformed into vibrations and light which are induced in the egg-shaped receiver held by the students. Because it is able to communicate information in a tactile way, the device can share information in real time and more accurately than is possible through a hearing aid.

Describe the expectations/outcome

Within the limited curriculum, students were able to learn a song they were previously unable to learn, and they performed the song in front of a large group of people. In addition, some of the users were able to learn to sing the songs even when not using the Palm Beat device. The aim of the device is to help hearing-impaired students learn the difficult concept of rhythm, and feedback showed that it fulfilled its purpose sufficiently.