Related Projects Review

MilkDrop & ProjectM

MilkDrop and ProjectM

MilkDrop [1] and ProjectM [2] are two popular choices for an audio visualiser. They are open-sourced, lightweight, and easy to implement. However, we excluded them from our options due to usability and accessibility concerns.

In MilkDrop, only a few of the 60+ tested effects were acceptable:

• PieurP - HSL - here-we-go-circle.milk
• opaine qorregulusce inqling negentropiqligenc.milk
• BdrvAderrasi - Contortion SpherebdrvetAL - tipsy flucksea.milk
• va ultramix2 - 1561.milk

ProjectM has the same issue. Most effects include flashing visuals, posing a seizure risk for sensitive users, including autistic children. This goes against our accessibility and safety goals.

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References

[1] projectM contributors, "projectM," GitHub repository, https://github.com/projectM-visualizer/projectm (accessed Mar. 27, 2025).

[2] milkdrop2077, "MilkDrop3," GitHub repository, https://github.com/milkdrop2077/MilkDrop3 (accessed Mar. 27, 2025).

Sense Sensory UK

Sense Sensory UK

Sense Sensory UK offers high-end sensory room packages and individual sensory products. Although high quality, they are far beyond the price range of our target users.

They offer:

• Pre-packaged sensory room solutions: £3,000–£10,000
• Individual components: Small kits (£210) to advanced equipment (£500+)
• Room maintenance services

Their use of visuals and detailed product pages is a marketing strength that we may adopt.

Their Immersive Sensory Room Corner Package creates “two fully immersive walls surrounded by LED Lighting” [1]. However, it is physically bound to a room corner and lacks portability, making it incompatible with our design constraints.

Our system offers a portable, software-based alternative with much lower cost and hardware requirements.

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Reference
[1] Sense Sensory UK. Immersive Sensory Room Corner Package. [Online]. Available: https://www.sensesensory.co.uk/product-page/immersive-sensory-room-corner-package/

Magic Room

Magic Room Software

We explored Magic Room, an interactive environment by Sensory Guru. It transforms spaces using projections, sounds, and sensory elements to support therapy and education.

Key takeaways:

• Emphasis on personalised interaction and adaptive feedback
• Fully immersive, multi-sensory experience
• Great inspiration for how music and visuals can aid emotional regulation

Our Key Differences

• We focus on music-driven interaction over room-scale projections.
• We use Zones of Regulation color filters to support emotional guidance.
• Our interface is simple and intuitive, requiring minimal setup.
• We integrate Philips Hue lights for ambient, portable immersion instead of fixed light strips.

Magic Room inspired several of our final design choices, especially around sensory feedback, user engagement, and visual interactivity tailored for children and therapists.