In a unique blend of technology and cultural commentary, Argentine programmer and musician Roni Bandini has developed an AI-powered device called Reggaeton Be Gone. The gadget is designed to detect and disrupt reggaeton music playing on nearby Bluetooth speakers, offering a tech-savvy solution to a common annoyance. The invention has sparked widespread interest across Latin America, where reggaeton dominates the music scene.
The Inspiration Behind Reggaeton Be Gone
Roni Bandini, a 49-year-old programmer, musician, and writer from Argentina, created Reggaeton Be Gone out of personal frustration. Like many people, Bandini grew tired of hearing loud reggaeton music blasting from a neighbor’s Bluetooth speaker. “My neighbor plays that lively, syncopated music all day, with a massive speaker right against my wall,” Bandini explained. Instead of confronting the neighbor directly, Bandini decided to use his technical skills to address the problem. “Given my limited social abilities, I thought of building a machine with AI that could recognize when reggaeton is playing and then attack the speaker via Bluetooth,” he said.
The device is inspired by the TV-B-Gone, a gadget that allows users to turn off televisions in public spaces. Similarly, Reggaeton Be Gone uses AI to identify reggaeton music and sends a disruptive signal to nearby Bluetooth speakers, either cutting the connection or distorting the sound.
How the Device Works
Reggaeton Be Gone combines hardware and software to detect and interfere with reggaeton music. At its core is a Raspberry Pi 3, a small, affordable computer that runs machine-learning algorithms. Bandini trained the device by analyzing thousands of reggaeton songs. He converted the songs to mono, reduced their resolution to 16kHz, and split them into four-second segments. Using a technique called Mel-Frequency Energy (MFE) analysis, the device identifies the unique sound patterns of reggaeton.
When the device detects reggaeton, it sends a signal to disrupt the Bluetooth speaker’s connection. While the prototype didn’t always completely silence the music, it created enough interference to prompt Bandini’s neighbor to move the speaker. “It’s not a complete success, but it’s not a defeat either,” Bandini said.
A Creative Mind at Work
Bandini is no stranger to innovative projects. Over the years, he has developed a variety of tech creations that blend art, literature, and practical functionality. His previous works include an anti-theft book alarm and a project integrating Amazon Alexa into the architecture of Julio Cortázar’s short story Casa Tomada. “I see technology as a tool to enhance our interaction with the world around us,” Bandini said. This philosophy is evident in Reggaeton Be Gone, which uses AI to address a personal annoyance while also commenting on the cultural dominance of reggaeton in Latin America.
Cultural Impact and Limitations
Reggaeton, a genre that originated in Puerto Rico, has become a cultural phenomenon across Latin America and beyond. While many enjoy its energetic beats, others find it overplayed and intrusive. Bandini’s invention taps into this divide, offering a humorous yet thought-provoking solution. However, the device has its limitations. It relies on Bluetooth technology, which means it can only disrupt nearby speakers. Additionally, its effectiveness depends on the accuracy of its AI model, which may occasionally misidentify music genres.
Despite these challenges, Reggaeton Be Gone has captured the public’s imagination. It highlights the potential of AI to address everyday problems while sparking conversations about technology, culture, and personal space. As Bandini continues to refine his invention, it remains a testament to the creative possibilities of combining art, technology, and a touch of humor.
