An Arduino-based MIDI Controllerfor Detecting Minimal Movementsin Severely Disabled Children

Abstract: In therapy, music has played an important role for children with physical andcognitive impairments. Due to the nature of different impairments, many traditionalinstruments can be very hard to play. This thesis describes the development of aproduct in which electrical sensors can be used as a way of creating sound. Thesesensors can be used to create specially crafted controllers and thus making itpossible for children with different impairments to create music or sound. Thisthesis examines if it is possible to create such a device with the help of an Arduinomicro controller, a smart phone and a computer. The end result is a product thatcan use several sensors simultaneously to either generate notes, change thevolume of a note or controlling the pitch of a note. There are three inputs forspecially crafted sensors and three static potentiometers which can also be used asspecially crafted sensors. The sensor inputs for the device are mini tele (2.5mm)and any sensor can be used as long as it can be equipped with this connector. Theproduct is used together with a smartphone application to upload different settingsand a computer with a music work station which interprets the device as a MIDIsynthesizer.