Linz, Austria – Pioneering Mobile Stereophony for Enhanced Navigation in Urban Landscapes: The innovative art and technology project, Stereospacer, will be prominently featured at this year’s Ars Electronica, one of Europe’s preeminent media art festivals. Stereospacer is at the forefront of stereophonic research, showcasing the transformative potential of mobile applications in augmented audio reality and spatial navigation.
The project, initiated in 2014, seeks to redefine user interaction with urban environments through sound. This interactive application offers users the opportunity to explore the synthesis of virtual insect and real city sounds, thereby altering perceptions of the physical space outside traditional exhibition boundaries.
The roots of directional audio systems can be traced back to their early utilization in military operations during the world wars, where acoustic spatial location techniques laid the groundwork for modern cybernetic feedback systems. By connecting human operators via binaural auditory tubes, these systems marked a significant advancement in the fusion of human-machine interaction.
In today’s technologically advanced society, the ubiquity of smartphones equipped with spatial sensing abilities has paved the way for enhanced spatial experiences. Stereospacer distinguishes itself by introducing a sophisticated concept known as “Directional Stereophony,” offering users directional audio cues that enrich navigation and spatial awareness. This advancement addresses a crucial gap in current Audio-Guide applications, which often lack directional sound guidance.
While traditional audio guides rely heavily on continuous aural engagement, Stereospacer integrates advanced interactivity to foster a deeper connection between the user and their environment. The project navigates the complexities of utilizing visual, auditory, and haptic inputs without overwhelming the user, ensuring that the primary goal of enhancing spatial exploration remains uncompromised.
Stereospacer at Ars Electronica 2019
Featured prominently as a Monday Audio Artist, Michael Markert, the author of Stereospacer, continues to explore the dynamic interplay between technology and human experience. The display at Ars Electronica serves as a platform to highlight ongoing research that pushes the boundaries of mobile stereophony and its implications for future urban navigation.
Stereospacer invites visitors to engage with a revolutionary auditory experience that promises to reshape the way we interact with our surroundings, making the invisible audible and redefining spatial intelligence in public spaces.
Links
- Ars Electronica (2019) Stereospacer: Nature Space. Mobile application and walk, ars.electronica.art. Available at: https://ars.electronica.art/outofthebox/stereospacer/ (Accessed: 29 December 2019).
- Stereospacer: Nature Space (2019) Out of the Box. Available at: https://ars.electronica.art/outofthebox/en/stereospacer/ (Accessed: 18 January 2025).
- Ars Electronica (2019) Expert Tour: Music Monday. Out of the Box. Available at: https://ars.electronica.art/outofthebox/en/experts-music-monday/ (Accessed: 18 January 2025).
- Markert, M. (2020) Stereospacer. Available at: https://stereospacer.de (Accessed 18. January 2025)
- Markert, M. (2020) Nature Space. Available at: https://ars.stereospacer.de (Accessed 18. January 2025)
- Shared Habitats (2019) Stereospacer: Nature Space. Available at: http://shared-habitats.eu/stereospacer-nature-space/ (Accessed: 18 January 2025).
- Apple (2019) Stereospacer App Store. Available at: https://apps.apple.com/app/nature-space/id1476197554?mt=8 (Accessed: 18 January 2025)


