Now hear this: Beat box creates music using RFID tags

The RFID Beat Box uses disc-shaped RFID tags to make music.

(Credit:
Screenshot by Bonnie Cha/CNET)

Some people march to the beat of a different drummer, and we’d say Danne Woo and Stefanie Kleinman are two such individuals.

The NYU students created an instrument that uses RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology to make music, and the result is pretty entrancing if you ask us.

The RFID Beat Box works by reading the various RFID tags, which are cleverly designed to look like tiny vinyl records. Each tag/disc is programmed with a different sound that’s triggered when placed in one of four wooden bowls, which are outfitted with RFID readers.

The discs and bowls are color-coded to indicate a certain instrument or musical style, and LED lights blink along to the beat for visual effect.

RFID technology uses radio waves to identify and communicate data. The technology is used for such purposes as tracking inventory and electronic toll collection (e.g. FasTrak, EZ-Pass), but the beat box is definitely one of the more creative uses of RFID tags we’ve seen in a long time.

RFID Beat Box from Danne Woo on Vimeo.

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