SOUNDwalker: Reflections on the use of digital technologies in the creation of augmented soundwalks

This paper will reflect on the development and implementation of the SOUNDwalker mobile app. SOUNDwalker has been created and developed as a means to improve accessibility of the augmented soundwalks developed by SOUNDkitchen since 2014. These SOUNDwalks were developed to offer participants a soundwalking experience that encompasses traditional soundwalk elements with the use of technology to augment the experience with, for example, live listening stations using microphones to uncover sounds inaudible to the naked ear or, pre-recorded audio to transport participants to other locations which bear relevance their physical location. 

The soundwalker mobile app enables the walks to be accessed and experienced at any time using GPS locative audio. The use of this technology offers a different user experience to the led soundwalk. This paper will highlight the specific considerations that have been addressed in creating the soundwalker soundwalks, consider the user experience through observation and feedback from participants, and reflect on the increase in use of digital technologies to enhance access to the arts.