If PersonalSoundtrack had been designed as most computational systems are, it would require its user to walk a certain way in order to function; this, of course, sounds as ridiculous as it should. We must continually wrap ourselves and our way of working and playing around machines, bending and contorting in an effort to use them. PersonalSoundtrack celebrates the differences in our walking styles, adapting to all and requiring very little in return. It turns the tables, so that the person simply does what he/she wants to do, and the machine bends and contorts itself around the user.

Since the late 1950's, when the SAGE (Semi Automatic Ground Environment) system's designers used people as band-aids for an imperfect computational system, our interaction with machines has been primarily focused on reinforcing the SAGE-style environment. We are forced to compensate and learn how to convince dumb machines to do what we want them to do. Only recently has the burden of interaction design been placed as much on the designers, programmers and engineers as on a system's participants. PersonalSoundtrack is an exercise in drastically altering these roles, allowing people to enter into a symbiotic relationship with a machine. The person influences the system dynamics as much as the machine does, and in this way each plays off the other continuously and simultaneously. The device's intelligence has not changed; it is an unintelligent object, much like a hammer or a pen. All three are simply tools that do what they are told to do, whether the author be a blacksmith or a programmer. Instead, the relationship between the human and the machine is different, and the system that unfolds is unique. This device adapts to its user, performing a task based upon embodied, natural, and situated movement. The person walks as they normally do, and PersonalSoundtrack adapts to their movement.

This device is not concerned with an optimal workout or improving the health of america. It is intended to de-optimize us, and do away with the notion of an "optimal" walk or run. There is no program to follow, or pre-determined track; you begin walking and the computer follows you, adapting to you and your walking style without protest. It supports meandering, wasting time, and loitering.

Gumstix Basix 400xm-bt
Gumstix Audiostix 2
Sparkfun 2-axis Accelerometer
Custom-built circuit for step-detection, pace calculation, and auto-calibration
900mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery

Python
Sqlite (via pysqlite2)
Mad Audio Decoding (via PyMad)
PyAo
PySerial
Bluez bluetooth libraries