Introducing the not-so-loudspeaker

Public dancing is a consequence of China's rapidly aging society, observers say. Although the dancers have emphasized the positive aspects of the pastime, the amplified music they use has led to tensions with neighbors who say they are constantly being subjected to unwanted noise pollution and have taken steps to eradicate it.[Photo provided to China Daily]

A prototype high-tech amplifier designed by a group of college students may spell an end to quarrels and fights between elderly dancing enthusiasts and their annoyed neighbors.

Standing next to a tripod with a projector at the apex, Zhu Liya, a student at the School of Media and Design at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, described how her team was inspired to build the machine when they attended a design workshop at the Sony Explora Science Museum in Beijing at the end of July.

"Dancing is good for both the mental and bodily health of retired women," the 20-year-old says, adding that she has conducted a survey of the dancers that confirmed the benefits.

"We also understand how a noisy loudspeaker may affect many other people who don't get up as early as these elderly women," Zhu says.

"Dancing in the square" has become a catchphrase for the tensions that have arisen between the women, who play music through loudspeakers and dance in public places, and their neighbors who are disturbed by the noise.

Reported cases include elderly dancers being sued, physically attacked and, in one extreme case, even had human feces thrown at them by angry neighbors, but the abuse obviously hasn't dampened their passion for the activity.

"If the conflict is all about the noise, technology and design can resolve it," Zhu says.

Under the guidance and support of industrial designers from Sony China, Zhu and her teammates designed a speaker that could eradicate the problem once and all.