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Invisible Record Player

This record player features an innovative, hidden reading system, where the traditional tonearm is inverted and concealed beneath the vinyl, revolutionizing user experience.

  • Cover

  • Sketch

  • Components

  • The product

  • Contextualization

What it does

Revolutionary turntable designed for inclusivity, combining high-quality recycled materials with innovative technology. It offers immersive audio and accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities, enhancing home environments with its modern aesthetic.


Your inspiration

Driven by an ethical commitment to inclusivity, I designed a modern turntable that empowers everyone to enjoy music, regardless of age, ability, or experience. Featuring a hidden reading system, it is accessible to seniors, people with disabilities, and beginners. Crafted from sustainable materials, it combines technology, accessibility, and aesthetic value. This turntable fosters equity and usability while addressing the growing demand for vinyl's authentic sound. It unites people through music and breaks down accessibility barriers, making music truly universal.


How it works

This innovative turntable features a 180-degree inverted and hidden reading system within the upper casing, alongside tweeters and woofers. The testina moves along axes, maintaining tangency with the vinyl's circumference, and includes an optical sensor that detects grooves, allowing for forward and backward navigation. This design replaces the traditional tonearm, enabling unique functionality. The lower section houses subwoofers and batteries, ensuring wireless use and portability, enhanced by wheels for outdoor use. A plexiglass cover with dual-sided displays allows interaction visibility whether open or closed. The two shelves communicate their functions through design: the upper shelf features grooves for vinyl placement, while the lower shelf has a tapered edge for containing items like books or wine glasses.


Design process

The design journey of this innovative turntable began with a concept focused on inclusivity, aiming to simplify the use of vinyl records for everyone. Initially, the goal was to improve the needle insertion process, making it more accessible while maintaining the warm sound of vinyl. The vision was to create a device where users could simply place the record and press play without compromising quality. As the design evolved, I explored methods to simplify the user experience. One breakthrough idea was to eliminate the traditional tonearm and place the reading system underneath, allowing it to read grooves without manual interaction. This led to integrating small motors to move the system and an optical sensor to detect where to stop and navigate through the record. Throughout development, several prototypes were created and refined. The first focused on the basic mechanics of the inverted reading system, ensuring accurate tracking of vinyl grooves. Subsequent prototypes improved upon this by incorporating the optical sensor and motorized movement, allowing seamless navigation. Each iteration brought the design closer to effortless usability while maintaining high-quality sound. The final prototype successfully merged these elements.


How it is different

What makes this turntable unique is its innovative design that combines accessibility, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology. Unlike traditional turntables, it features a hidden reading system that eliminates the need for a tonearm, making it easier for seniors, people with disabilities, and beginners to use. The integration of an optical sensor and motorized movement allows for seamless navigation through records, a feature not commonly found in other turntables. Additionally, the use of sustainable materials and a sleek, modern aesthetic sets it apart from other products in the market. This turntable not only provides an immersive audio experience but also fosters inclusivity, making it a standout in the industry. Its portability and wireless functionality further enhance its uniqueness, allowing users to enjoy vinyl in various settings.


Future plans

The next steps for this project involve enhancing user interface features. I plan to collaborate with accessibility experts to ensure the design meets diverse user needs. Future goals include launching a crowdfunding campaign to support production and partnering with organizations that promote inclusivity in music. I hope to establish this turntable as a leader in accessible audio technology, making vinyl more enjoyable for everyone. By integrating feedback from users and continuously innovating, I aim to create a product that not only enhances the listening experience but also contributes to a more inclusive music community.


Awards


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