On the Development of an Enactive Soundwalking Device

SEEk, which stands for “Sonic Environment Exploration kit,” is an enactive soundwalking device that strives to reconnect users to the world around them through environmental data sonification and physical and sonic exploration. Modern conveniences and technologies have made it increasingly challenging to participate in a healthy state of information exchange and coexistence with one’s environment. This article explores how technologically mediated soundwalking can help break down some of these barriers between humans and their environments in the present day. It situates SEEk within broader discussions of 4E cognition, ecological psychoacoustics, and auditory augmentation, emphasizing the psychological, anthropological, and biological importance of cultivating a deeper and more mindful connection with the world around us. Following a theoretical overview, the article describes SEEk’s hardware configuration and modular software system. It concludes by reflecting on the state of the current SEEk prototype, along with its significant potential for future expansion.