BBC shows off perceptive radio that can alter scripts

23 May 2013 Last updated at 12 24 ET By Dave Lee Technology reporter BBC News A concept device has been created by the BBC team

A radio that is able to change a broadcast depending on where you are and what you are doing has been demonstrated by the BBC.

The Perceptive Radio produced by the corporation's Future Media North Lab is thought to be a world first.

The team produced a computer generated radio drama where the script altered depending on factors such as weather.

The device was shown off at the Thinking Digital Conference in Gateshead.

The proof of concept drama which used a computer generated voice for one of the characters could adapt on the fly according to data pulled from external sources.

For instance it could make reference to local places which would differ depending on where in the world you were.

Or it would mention weather conditions that were dependent on what was happening in the real world such as replacing the phrase it's sunny outside with it's raining .

Diverse listening

The model also included a microphone which can monitor background noise and determine whether to amplify certain sounds such as speech to improve the listening experience.

The team hoped this approach could lead to a more immersive listening experience.

It's the early stages of looking at what next generation broadcasting is said Tony Churnside a BBC technologist.

He added that until now radio broadcasting has been a one size fits all experience with the same content being broadcast to all no matter their individual situation.

Historically our listeners have had either mono or stereo radios but nowadays people are listening on such a variety of devices the experience they're getting is really diverse.

He likened the radio technology to responsive web design a technique which enables web pages to automatically change shape and configuration depending on what type of device they are being read on such as a smartphone or tablet.

The team has created a website demonstrating a reactive radio drama based around a woman stuck in lift.

It's a radio drama that we wanted to use to try and find out how much this localisation added to the experience of the listener Mr Churnside added.

Follow Dave Lee on Twitter DaveLeeBBC

Articles Source here