A novel technology that measures collective movement
The Kit
Synch.Live is a hardware/software system that includes a fleet of LED player hats, tracking anchors, and a central computer. The system tracks player positions with ultra wide band (UWB) radio waves, computes an emergence value in real time and sends the parameter to mini-computers on the hats which adjust the blinking lights. The hat lights are programmed to become less random as the group becomes more emergent and finally, to flash synchronously if the group can figure out how to move like a flock.
Measuring Emergence
Three of Synch.Live’s scientific advisors developed an algorithm that quantifies emergence in any system, and we use this metric to determine the win state. The algorithm looks at the macro (whole group) and micro (individual players) properties of the system and then calculates how well the macro and micro properties predict the movement of the group. If the macro is more predictive, it means the group is moving "as one" in a way that cannot be explained by the movement of individual players. That is, individuals are not just moving independently, but in a way that shows cooperation, mutual adjustment, and collective behavior.
The Data
The Synch.Live system collects anonymized tracking data for artistic, social and scientific benefit. The data has much to teach researchers about how human groups cooperate, solve conflicts and build teams. It is also beautiful: a gestural, abstract map of human activity.