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DT2300 Sound in Interaction 7.5 credits

A great part of human communication and interaction with the surrounding environment is based on sound. Sound pervades our life; speech, sounds produced by our interaction with the environment, and everyday sounds are the most common sounds that we hear continuously during the day. In spite of this, interaction in HCI is mainly vision-based. In a world where graphical displays are becoming smaller and sometimes missing, there is a need for a new way of human-machine interaction based on sound.

This course offers a multi-disciplinary overview of the principles underlying the use of sound in interaction between users and machines.

Videos of projects developed since the 2018 edition of the course can be found in the KTH Play channel DT2300 Sound in Interaction. Video of previous editions of the course can be found in Vimeo here (2016 & 2017), and here (2015 and before).

Choose semester and course offering

Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.

Application

For course offering

Spring 2025 ljudintv programme students

Application code

60092

Headings with content from the Course syllabus DT2300 (Spring 2022–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

  • Basic principles of sound perception in interaction
  • The relationship between sound and movement
  • Sound as an information carrier
  • The use of sound as feedback in control applications, including haptics
  • Data representation with sound, including interactive sonification
  • Use of sound in treatment applications, including applications for people with disabilities
  • Sound and interaction in everyday life
  • Sound models for interaction, including models for portable devices

Intended learning outcomes

After passing the course, the student should be able to:

  • critically read a scientific paper on sound and interaction, and extract useful information from it
  • identify and describe the major principles for sound in interaction, including communication of information through sound, sound feedback in interaction, and sonification of movements
  • identify, describe and analyse properties of existing soundscapes and suggest changes for a better and sustainable sound environment 
  • identify, describe and analyse the control aspects of sound based interactive applications
  • evaluate how sound based interactive applications function
  • use free state-of-the-art software tools and sensors (based on Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or other platforms) for designing new sound-based interactive applications
  • propose efficient designs for new applications using sound in interaction that are both inclusive and sustainable
  • justify, document and present design, implementation and evaluation of a new application.

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

Knowledge and skills in programming, 6 credits, equivalent to completed course DD1337/DD1310-DD1318/DD1321/DD1331/DD100N/ID1018.

Knowledge in human-computer interaction, 6 credits, equivalent to completed course DH1620/DH1622.

Recommended prerequisites

Proficiency in human-computer interaction and programming skills corresponding to first term of master programs Interactive Media Technology (TIMTM) or Computer Science (TCSCM).

Knowledge about human perception, corresponding to course DM2350 (former DT2350), and about multimodal interaction, corresponding to course DT2140 is reccomended but not necessary.

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

No information inserted

Examination and completion

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • INL1 - Assignments, 1.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
  • LAB1 - Laboratory Assignments, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • PRO1 - Project, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

Main field of study

Computer Science and Engineering

Education cycle

Second cycle

Add-on studies

DT2213 Musical Communication and Music Technology 7.5 credits, https://www.kth.se/student/kurser/kurs/DT2213?l=en

Contact

Roberto Bresin, e-post: roberto@kth.se

Supplementary information

In this course, the EECS code of honor applies, see:
http://www.kth.se/en/eecs/utbildning/hederskodex