On Friday 19 April Studio residents Calvium treated us to a fantastic Lunchtime Talk about their thoughts and experiences of developing the emerging genre of located sound walks. From the 2004 research user trials of "Riot! 1831" to their current commercial Soundwalk product, Calvium have been involved in helping to develop over 30 GPS responsive apps. Jo the creative director came to describe the different interaction design models, collaborators and content they have experimented with and techniques they have developed to streamline the production process.

Jo has kindly uploaded her presentation here, so do take a look to find pictures, diagrams and videos about the projects she discussed.  

Calvium are an App development company and creators of AppFurnance, an App development platform for creatives. The founders of Calvium previously worked on sensor-based mobile application tools and experiences at Hewlett-Packard Research Labs in Bristol. The first of these was a GPS triggered drama called Riot! 1831.

Riot! 1831

Riot! 1831 was the first GPS triggered drama in the world. Developed by University of Bristol, HP Labs and researched by writers Liz Crow and Ralph Hoyte, Riot 1831! was a GPS triggered drama that told the audio stories of  the riots that took place in Queens Square in 1831.

After borrowing a satellite receiving backpack from the HP team, members of the public could wander around Queens Square, where their GPS location would trigger pre recorded audio clips dramatising the riots. You can read an article about the project here, and watch a video on Jo’s presentation.

Using a GPS satellite rucksack may sound ridiculous now, but ten years ago it was the only reliable way to create the experience. Jo explained a benefit of lending out the rucksacks was they were able to interview audience members after the experience. They used this research to develop a series of experience design guidelines that they continue to use today. You can view these here.

Now due to advances in technology, the majority of people have the ability to receive location-based data on their mobile phones due to built in GPS. It allowed Calvium to start designing Apps that work on the same location driven data model as Riot! 1831, but can be used a lot more independently. Jo then introduced us to one of their recent Apps created injunction with the Guardian, called Streetstories.

Guardian Streetstories

Guardian Streetstories is a location based sound walk. As you walk through the streets of King’s Cross, London, the app automatically activates stories relevant to your GPS location. You can hear tales - old and new - from this part of London.

Jo explained that one of the extra things they have started including in their apps is a Manual Mode where you don’t need to be in the location to listen to the audio. It means the App is still useable if the GPS signal is playing up, allows you to demo the apps and means people from across the globe can access the content. You can download Streetstories from the App store here.      

Soho Stories

Jo then introduced the App Soho Stories created with the National Trust. In Soho Stories 60 years of Bohemian Soho is brought vividly to life in this unique audio tour, narrated by veteran Soho entertainer Barry Cryer. Jo explained that although the concept is similar to Guardian Streetstories, they look and feel like very different Apps because of the style and design. You can download the Soho Stories App here.

The audience asked if it was possible to integrate user content within the Apps, Jo explained that technically it’s possible and they have done so in the past, but it can cause issues from an experience design point, in terms of quality control, moderation and authorship. It’s up to the company developing the App to make the decision.   

The projects Jo talked in detail about are just two examples of the Apps that Calvium create. You can find out more about their recent projects and workshops and training days they run on their website here.