Speedy Walker 2.0

Dec 2024

⏱ ~ 8 min

Speedy Walker : A Subtle Companion for Mindful Movement

This interactive prototype is designed to create an experience of mindfulness in movement—connecting your walking pace with music, fostering awareness of the present moment. As you walk, the music will shift according to your speed, giving you an opportunity to explore the relationship between your body, mind, and sound. Mindfulness is about being present, aware, and fully engaged with whatever you are doing in the moment. In this case, the act of walking becomes a mindful practice, enhanced by the music’s response to your movement. Whether you’re walking slowly or speeding up, notice how your body and mind react to the shifting tempo.

How to Engage with Speedy Walker

1. Pause and take a breath
2. Walk and listen

What

Speedy Walker is a playful, everyday companion that helps you become more aware of your body through the simple act of walking. It’s not a tool for tracking steps or optimizing performance—it’s a gentle way to tune into your movement through music. As you walk, the music shifts to match your pace: walk faster, and the tempo picks up; slow down, and the rhythm relaxes with you. Unlike traditional mindfulness apps, Speedy Walker doesn’t ask you to sit down, focus, or follow instructions. Instead, it offers a fun, subtle biofeedback experience that helps you notice your body naturally through sound. In a world filled with apps that track everything from mindfulness minutes to steps, Speedy Walker takes a different approach. It’s not about measuring, improving, or optimizing your walk. It’s about enjoying the moment, playing with movement, and letting mindfulness emerge through a fun, everyday activity.

Why

A Fun, Playful Experience

Instead of following instructions or completing tasks, Speedy Walker lets you explore how music and movement connect. It turns walking into a playful interaction that encourages you to notice your body.

Mindfulness Through Experience

Speedy Walker helps you become more mindful of your walking pace naturally. There’s no need for formal meditation or focusing hard—it’s about being present with your movement, almost without realizing it.

No Pressure, No Tracking 

Unlike traditional mindfulness apps that guide you through exercises, Speedy Walker offers a more organic approach. It’s mindfulness through movement, without instructions or goals. You don’t need to change anything—just walk and see what happens.

A Daily Supplement, Not a Solution

Rather than being a tool you need to use at specific times, Speedy Walker integrates seamlessly into your daily life. It’s not designed to “fix” anything—it’s a light addition to your routine that helps you connect with your body and enjoy the moment, one step at a time.

About the thesis

‘Designing for Mindful Moments — Fostering Well-being through Interaction Design’

Research Questions

Slowing down our pace in life, being mindful of how we use technology, and deep looking are ways to heal.

From 1.0 to 2.0: What's New?

You can review 1.0 here: No access

Speedy Walker 2.0 addresses several key issues and explores new variables

1. Adjusting audio speed while maintaining pitch
2. Testing negative symmetry—where faster walking creates slower music—to explore calming effects
3. Enhancing responsiveness through reduced buffer time
4. Testing different music genres, speeds, and change modes
5. Assessing mindfulness experiences among users

Through iterative development, 2.0 includes these improvements

1. Migrated from Touchdesigner to MaxMsp for superior time-stretch capabilities
2. Implemented feedback from user testing with friends
3. Removed speed limitations
4. Enhanced data input sensitivity for better response
5. Improved phone placement versatility (pocket, handheld, arm strap)
6. Introduced custom song selection

Key research questions for 2.0

• Can musical walking serve as an alternative form of meditation, like problem-solving meditation or breath focus?
• Is walking meditation with music more effective for people with ADHD? Could it improve mind-body coordination?
• How effectively does musical walking intervention promote everyday mindfulness?
• What emotional impact does Speedy Walker have on users?
• What insights does research offer about mindfulness, music, pace, and groove?
• Does synchronizing with music create genuine mindfulness? If so, what kind?
• Can flow state be considered a form of meditation?
• How does physical groove influence mood, emotion, and presence?
• Is it possible to create activity-specific playlists?
• Would biometric sensors or heart rate monitoring add value?
• Could this approach work with other daily activities?
• Is it possible to curate music that adapts to our body's needs, similar to mood-based playlists?
• Could we create biometrically generated music?

Speedy Walker 2.0 Tryout 1

Tested Variables

1. Positive vs. Negative Symmetry: Exploring whether faster walking should speed up or slow down music
2. Music Genres and Tempo (bpm)
3. Song transition methods
4. Familiar vs. unfamiliar music

Limitations

Irregular walking patterns, elevation changes, stopping, and timing delays

Key Findings

• Speed-adjusted music promotes better flow states than song transitions, as users remain present rather than anticipating changes
• Users engage more with familiar songs and preferred genres
• Simple fade transitions prove most effective, particularly with speed adjustments
• Users express uncertainty about causation: whether music speed influences walking pace or vice versa
• Repetitive musical patterns adapt more smoothly to speed changes
• Users enjoyed playing with the prototype, running at different speeds to experiment with how the music tempo changed. They found the faster songs particularly playful and engaging.

Speedy Walker 2.0 Tryout 2

While we recognize that mindfulness can occur at any walking speed, I realized my original intention for this project was to encourage people to slow down. For the second tryout, I had users select a slow song and tested it in a long hallway to create a more controlled and ideal environment.

Summary of Findings

1. Mind-Wandering and Refocusing

• All participants reported moments of mind-wandering during the experience. However, they noted that the music and walking helped them redirect their attention back to the present moment.
• One participant mentioned bringing their attention back to their feet and walking, while another focused on the music to stay present.
• The experience encouraged natural, non-judgmental redirection of thoughts, which participants appreciated.

2. Body Awareness

• Participants reported increased awareness of their body and walking pace during the session.
• One participant adjusted their pace based on the music and noticed its calming effect.
• Another participant noted releasing tension in their arms, which enhanced relaxation and immersion in the experience.

3. Music and Sensory Feedback

• The connection between walking pace and music felt mostly natural, though there were moments when it became intentional or experimental.
• One participant appreciated how the music encouraged them to slow down and focus, while another was curious about how the system responded to their pace.
• Music proved to be a powerful tool for mindfulness, helping participants tune out distractions and stay engaged.

4. Comparison to Traditional Mindfulness Practices

• Participants found Speedy Walker to be a more accessible alternative to traditional mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga.
• One respondent appreciated that it didn't require setting aside extra time or following a rigid structure.
• Another noted that it felt less forced and more natural, allowing them to simply exist in the moment.

5. Emotional and Physical Impact

• Participants described feeling calm, relaxed, and emotionally grounded after using Speedy Walker.
• Feedback included responses like "emotionally calmer," "calm and relaxed," and "enjoying the moment."

6. Suggestions for Improvement

• Despite the positive feedback, participants suggested several areas for refinement:
• Adding customizable speed options for faster walking or specific terrains like stairs.
• Ensuring better alignment between music and walking pace during extreme tempo changes (e.g., slow songs).

7. Limitations of the Tryout

• As this was a quick trial with only three participants, these findings are anecdotal and should be treated as preliminary. They provide a narrow but helpful perspective and serve as a reference for further testing and iteration.

Takeaways

• Speedy Walker shows promise as a mindfulness tool, particularly for those who struggle with traditional practices.
• Music and sensory feedback effectively promote focus and body awareness, though further refinement is needed to improve adaptability for different walking contexts.
• These early insights highlight the system's potential while emphasizing the need for broader, more rigorous testing to validate its impact.

Potential design solutions

Potential app modes

1. Walking pace options
1. Examples: "Running late" mode / "Peaceful walk" mode
2. Mood regulation
1. Options: Energy boost / Calming effect
3. Speed adjustment / Song settings

The mind map (in progress)

Stay tuned for Speedy Walker (or SlowWalker?) 3.0! Now it’s renamed as “The Walking Muse”! Check out my final thesis here

No access