Cannes Lions
HAKUHODO KETTLE, Tokyo / THE UNIVERSITY OF TSUKUBAS SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOLS / 2015
Awards:
Overview
Entries
Credits
Description
In Japan, Many kinds of technology have been making progress, but technology of utilization in special support education has not been making progress so much.
Execution
We developed the universal piano system,“Eye Play the Piano,” by using an eye-tracking system within a head mount display so the piano could be played without the use of hands or arms but rather by blinking on the desired key to play that note.
The arrangement of the standard keyboard, which is designed to be played by hand has been reassembled to an interface which can be played by “sight.”
After 4 months of practicing, the disabled student, Kota played the piano for the first Christmas concert at the school.
Outcome
Eye Play the Piano gave an opportunity for handicapped people to try a new experience, that is to play musical instruments freely without using their body.
This project was covered by the media of 37 countries, and played an important role in spreading the uppermost notion of education, that is “to open the children to infinite possibilities.”
Moreover, through charity fundraising, we were able to donate the device to other 53 schools in Japan.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education has started to fully introduce the system to expressive education, which has advanced the future of special education in Japan.