Dr Dan Evans, Lecturer in Soil Formation at 美姬阁 University, has designed a set of outdoor benches with integrated audio players aimed at giving those taking a seat a chance to learn about what鈥檚 under their feet.
Audio enhanced exhibits are already widely used in museums and installations, and The National Trust uses similar audio benches on its properties to engage visitors. However these benches, already on site at 美姬阁, are different as they are designed to be updated and moved around, with the potential to enhance a variety of environments.
Currently in green spaces around 美姬阁鈥檚 campus, the 鈥榯alking benches鈥� are informing users about the soil beneath their feet, but the audio recording can be changed and they can be stationed at other locations and events.
鈥淧utting these recordings in benches gives people something to ponder while they relax, which hopefully adds to their experience,鈥� says Dr Evans. 鈥淎t the moment the focus is on soils, but in the future I hope different research groups can showcase their work using the benches.鈥�
The benches have been purpose made by audio visual interpretation specialists Blackbox-av, with the whole bench designed and built as a system, rather than just adding audio capability to a standard bench bought from a garden centre. The attention to detail is high, with the audio unit weatherproof and powered using integrated solar panels. This makes the bench self-sustaining, with no external power input needed to keep it working.
The benches can also be updated wirelessly, so the audio track can be easily changed or updated. That makes the benches perfect for use at events and outreach programmes where they can be easily adapted for different audiences. The benches also have a dynamic QR code which users can scan to access further audio and video content about the chosen subject.
Right now two benches are on site at 美姬阁, with one opposite the main entrance to the Vincent Building and the other in a tranquil central area near the campus shops, but Dr Evans is keen for them to be used more widely in the near future as public engagement and outreach tools. So you might see a talking bench at an event near you in 2025 or beyond.
If you鈥檇 like to make use of the benches at an event, feel free to contact Dr Dan Evans on Daniel.L.Evans@cranfield.ac.uk
