The London-based company known for its innovative solutions for the music industry presented a new product. It’s a personal music teacher enclosed in an inconspicuous device.
Every kid goes through a stage of playing an instrument in their life. I have always felt a musical spirit in me, but already in primary school I was beyond playing the flute, and my skills in playing the instruments remain at an embarrassing level. That’s why I’m a bit envious of young generations who come to life with ubiquitous technology that makes it easier to work, learn and have fun. Technology such as AI developed by Roli – a London-based company dealing with innovations in the music industry. Their new creation will teach children how to play the piano without having to pay for expensive lessons.
Roli Technology, i.e. an intelligent music teacher
Roli became embedded in the minds of customers mainly thanks to Seaboard, a MIDI controller with a rubber and flexible coating on the keys. The device is compatible with the company’s new product, Airwave – it is a hybrid device that serves as a stand for a mobile device, as well as a camera that tracks the work of a beginner musician’s hand.
The Seaborad keyboard connected to Airwave, combined with dedicated software, is a good alternative to learning with an expensive instructor – or at least that is the company’s assumption. The whole idea is to lower the threshold for entering the world of keyboard instruments, and this would not be possible without the help of – of course – artificial intelligence.
AI will teach you to play keyboard instruments
Roli also wanted its own AI (like every large tech company nowadays), which resulted in Roli Music Intelligence, the platform that powers Airwave. The device itself uses 3D cameras to track hand movements, and these recordings are processed in real time by artificial intelligence, so the user can immediately receive tips to help improve the technique.
This involves tracking 7 joints of each hand at 90 frames per second – this data is converted to MIDI format in real time. Of course, it doesn’t end there. Airwave can also be controlled by voice, asking the AI for help with chords or having it suggest other tips.
Airwave is the first new product to leverage our latest technological breakthrough – Music Intelligence. Drawing on five “keys”: sound, sight, touch, vision and voice, Music Intelligence connects current and future ROLI instruments into an evolving ecosystem for creation and self-expression
Airwave is said to work best in combination with the Piano M keyboard – these are backlit keys with a hand tracking function that help you learn to play the instrument even faster. It also supports gesture support – raising your hand up can, for example, start playing music. You can see Airwave in action in the video below.
Airwave pre-sale starts today. The device was valued at EUR 299, or less than PLN 1,300. You can also choose an extended version with intelligent Piano M keys – the price of such a set is EUR 479 (approx. PLN 2,060).
