Discover How the Roli Airwave System Utilizes AI and Hand Tracking to Teach Piano Effortlessly

Learning to play an instrument can be a challenging endeavor, especially for those trying to teach themselves. This often results in many abandoned musical instruments—think dusty guitars and keyboards left forgotten in attics alongside old sporting equipment.

Enter Roli's latest innovation, the Airwave, designed to make piano learning more accessible for everyone, especially those who feel musically challenged. Leveraging advanced hand tracking and AI technology, the Airwave introduces a level of customization that was once only possible through in-person lessons.

The Airwave is a sleek, arch-shaped device compatible with Roli's existing keyboard lineup. Equipped with 3D cameras, it tracks hand movements and gestures, adding a layer of expression that traditional keys cannot convey.

This system works seamlessly with the Seaboard, the groundbreaking flexible keyboard that established Roli’s reputation over a decade ago. More exciting, however, is its collaboration with the newly branded Piano M, which originally launched as the Roli Lumi in 2020. The Piano M features light-up keys that, combined with hand tracking, provide a comprehensive understanding of a player’s technique.

At the heart of this innovation lies Roli Music Intelligence, or MI. “Building on technologies developed over the last decade, Roli MI is powered by five key components: sound, sight, touch, vision, and voice,” the company stated in a press release. “This platform will serve as the foundation for a future line of intelligent products, starting with the Airwave.”

Roli has trained this system using large language models (LLMs), enabling it to understand natural voice commands. Users can request tips, assistance with chords, and access to full songs, transforming the learning experience.

The Airwave isn’t just a teaching aid; its hand-tracking capabilities also open doors for music creation, akin to an AI-driven theremin. “With a simple hand gesture, creators can turn a piano into a full orchestra or alter mellow synth pads into striking leads with a mere tilt of the wrist,” Roli explains. The Airwave empowers musicians to explore their creativity through five intuitive features: Air Raise, Air Glide, Air Tilt, Air Flex, and Air Slide.

Starting Tuesday, the Airwave is available for preorder at $299, while the rebranded Piano M retails for $259.