Team Members & Role: 

Ethan Jenkins – Team Lead & Fabrication

Samuel John – Analysis Lead & Fabrication

Kyle Early – Evaluation Lead & Fabrication

Gregory Gunsalus – Design Lead & Fabrication

Abstract:

The Neely Air TR-808 project, funded by Margo Neely, CEO of Neely & Daughters, tackles the challenge of redefining music creation through innovative footwear. Inspired by the concept of Margo Neely’s Neely Air TR-808 shoe, our team designed a system allowing users to digitally compose music through foot movements. Utilizing an Arduino Nano 33 BLE, accelerometers, and pressure-sensitive film embedded in the shoe, our approach captures the nuances of users’ foot gestures, wirelessly transmitting the data to Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) via Bluetooth. The significance lies in offering musicians and DJs a unique, physically expressive tool for music production. The design’s novelty is highlighted by its compactness, low power consumption, and adherence to engineering standards. As existing technology fails to provide a seamless integration of physical movement and music creation, our project bridges this gap, transforming a concept into a tangible, marketable product. The Neely Air TR-808 promises to revolutionize the music production experience for both amateurs and professionals, providing a dynamic and intuitive platform for creative expression.