BeatBlocks
Block-based beat-building at its best
BeatBlocks Technology
Giving a digital life to real-world “things”.
The technology inside our Beatblocks family of projects use advanced AI and computer vision techniques to give a whole new digital life to real-world physical objects.
What does that mean? It means that we can turn an individual LEGO or DUPLO brick into a drum, a piano or a synthesiser, and a collection of bricks into an entire band. But that’s just the start.
Instead of looking into the digital world through the window of our smartphones, tablets and laptops, we are on a mission to bring digital interactivity out of the screen and into the real world to encourage hands-on play and creativity.
With our technology, we turn everyday objects into something extraordinary. By giving real-world “things” the digital agency to interact with computer software, the creative possibilities for human-computer interaction are endless.
BeatBlocks iOS
A fun music-making app for iPhone and iPad that lets you build beats using real-life LEGO. Keep looping to earn rewards, unlock new sounds and explore musical styles.
BeatBlocks Studio
A fully-loaded version of BeatBlocks, with a complete set of sounds, styles and pro-level features built-in. Designed with budding musicians, educators and more advanced users in mind, Studio extends the creative possibilities for hands-on music making even further.
BeatBlocks Live
BeatBlocks Live is an AI-based platform for interactive, multi-player, music-making. Constructed in a portable, modular format, it is ready for installations, exhibits, parties and performances.
Aimed at families and small groups, the installation leverages BeatBlocks technology to enable truly interactive and creative experiences.
Testimonials
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“There were exhibits to engage people of all ages, but it was the interactive exhibit using AI to analyse Lego bricks that caught the imagination of the five-year-old I took with me...”
Tim Hellas, Music Teacher Magazine, on “Turn it up” Exhibition
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!["Craig Smith of Positive Partnerships, smiling with hearts, stars, boom graphic, and a megaphone illustration on a yellow background."]()
"BeatBlocks is the most forward thinking music app I know of. It uses a pattern loop-based composition approach that many music makers will be familiar with, but takes it to a whole other level by incorporating a three-dimensional tactile plane"
Craig Smith, Apple Distinguished Educator
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"BeatBlocks combines cutting-edge advances in machine learning with Playable Technology’s extensive experience in children’s hands-on technology to create a new playground for building, creativity and music.
BIMA Awards 2023, Silver Award Winner - Use of AI
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"BeatBlocks combines leading edge technology with hands-on play to give children the best of both digital and real-world environments."
Creative Informatics, Immersive Futures Lab, SXSW23
FAQs
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The key difference is that in Beatblocks iOS, the app comes with just a starter set of sounds to get you going, then you unlock new sound styles and instruments by earning in-game credits and rewards. In BeatBlocks Studio, all sound styles and instruments are available and ready to use, PLUS you get access to pro-level features like MIDI and Ableton Link.
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BeatBlocks technology uses advanced AI and computer vision to detect physical objects such as lego, sweets, soft furnishings , … , you name it. Our software tools analyse the position and movement of detected objects, gathering a range of analytics that are used to trigger an action or enable a response.
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Yes! The AI can be trained to recognise all sorts of things. Get in touch if you’d like to work together on something specific.