Distanzuino Instrument

Your instrument. Your music. Your style.

Meet DistanzuinoBT

DistanzuinoBT is a smart, touchless musical instrument you play with gestures. Using laser sensors and Bluetooth, it turns the distance between your hands and the device into real, customizable sounds. Controlled through an interactive website, it’s fun, portable, and perfect for exploring music in a whole new way.

And why is it your instrument?
Distanzuino isn’t just another musical instrument — it’s your instrument.
With the help of our website, you can learn how music works and how sound is created. Not only can you explore the inner workings of the tones you hear, but you can also be the one to shape them. Here, you’re free to discover, learn, and build the musical instrument you want to create.

Core Features

Discover what makes the Distanzuino a revolutionary instrument

Touchless Play

Play music without physical contact—just move your hands over the sensors to control tones intuitively and precisely.

Smart Web Interface

Use the web app to customize sounds, choose instruments, adjust volume, visualize tones, and more—all in real time.

Bluetooth Audio

Connect wirelessly to Bluetooth speakers or headphones for rich, high-quality sound output from the instrument.

Learning Potential

With Distanzuino, you’ll explore how music is made and discover the physics behind sound—all through hands-on, playful interaction.

Customizable

Distanzuino lets you shape your own sound. Customize tones, adjust volume, and even redesign the instrument's look—create a musical experience that's uniquely yours.

Real Instrument Tones

Emulates real instruments like flute, piano, and cello using harmonic analysis and tone dynamics.

3D-Printed Modular Design

Compact, foldable, and sleek. Magnetically connected parts allow easy transport and potential for scalable production.

High-Precision Sensors

VL53L1X laser sensors detect hand distance with extreme accuracy, immune to environmental noise and humidity.

Future-Proof Innovation

New versions are in the works: from mini models with projected buttons to screen-based layouts and enhanced sound realism.

Key Aspects of Distanzuino

Explore the core principles that make Distanzuino a unique musical experience.

Customizable

The Distanzuino is a fully customizable and personalizable musical instrument. With the help of our website, you can truly make the Distanzuino your own.

What does that mean?
You can customize the tones you want to hear, adjust the volume, and even change the physical design of the instrument. And it’s not just about switching between different instrument sounds — you can create your own unique tones and sounds with just a few clicks.

Learning Potential

Learn About Music

Discover how melodies and harmonies are formed, and understand what makes music sound the way it does. With Distanzuino, you can explore rhythm, pitch, tone, and musical structure in a hands-on, creative way. Whether you're just starting out or already know a bit, you'll deepen your understanding of how music works—and how to shape it yourself.

Learn About Physics

Behind every sound is a physical explanation. With Distanzuino, you’ll explore the science behind music: sound waves, frequency, vibration, amplitude, and more. You'll learn how changes in distance and movement affect the tones you hear—connecting what you play with real-world physics in a fun and intuitive way.

Easy to Use – No Touch Needed

Play music without ever touching the instrument. Just wave your hand sideways above the Distanzuino to create sounds. It doesn’t require fine motor skills, making it more accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities.

How It Works

From gesture to music in a few clear steps.

  1. 1

    Gesture Detection

    Hand distance is captured in real time with precise laser sensors.

  2. 2

    Bluetooth Transfer

    Data streams to your device instantly over secure, low-latency Bluetooth.

  3. 3

    Web App & Controls

    The web application maps distance to tone maps and instrument profiles you choose.

  4. 4

    Sound Generation

    Expressive, musical output with measured natural attack and harmonics.

  5. 5

    Customization

    Visual indicators show current notes and you can adjust tones, volume and instruments quickly to your style.

Achievements

Highlights from Distanzuino’s journey of innovation and recognition

International STEAM Festival 2025

April 11, 2025

Third Place Winner and UNESCO Special Award at International STEAM Festival 2025

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Jugend Forscht 2025 NRW State Finals

April 1-3, 2025

Special Prize for Entrepreneurial Spirit at Jugend Forscht 2025 NRW State Finals

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Jugend Forscht 2025 Düsseldorf Regional Finals

February 19, 2025

Regional victory for the best interdisciplinary project and Special Prize IHK Düsseldorf at Jugend Forscht 2025 Düsseldorf Regional Finals

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OTIO 2024

May 31 - June 1, 2024

Special Award at the 33rd OTIO (Hungarian National Science and Innovation Olympiad)

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Jugend Forscht 2024 NRW State Finals

May 4, 2024

2nd place technology at Jugend Forscht - Schüler Experimentieren 2024 NRW State Finals

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Jugend Forscht 2024 Düsseldorf Regional Finals

February 28, 2024

1st place technology and Special Prize at Jugend Forscht - Schüler Experimentieren 2024 Düsseldorf Regional Finals

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