Page 54 of Design for our future selves 2001 Awards by Helen Hamlyn Research Centre - Royal College of Art

52 Nicholas Foster/Design Products pianoforte Pianoforte is a speaker system whose method of volume control requires less dexterity than the usual rotary knobs or digital up/down buttons. Volume is increased by opening the door covering the cone and decreased by closing it. Each action triggers a resistance change in the hinge, which alters the volume in the speaker cone. Both actions serve as visible metaphors that help children with learning disabilities understand the concepts of volume control and make the product suitable for use in multi-sensory (snoezlin) rooms. People with motor disabilities, atheosis, or reduced grip strength will benefit from the greater ease of use.

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