Dr Iain McGregor serves as an Associate Professor at Edinburgh Napier University, where he specialises in interactive media design and auditory perception research. He earned a PhD in soundscape mapping, focusing on comparing sound designers’ expectations with listeners’ experiences, providing insights into perceptual differences and design approaches. With over 30 years of experience, he specialises in sound design across various media, including film, video games, mixed reality, and auditory displays. His research covers soundscapes, sonification, and human interaction with auditory systems.
Contributions to Auditory Perception Research
Dr McGregor has collaborated with researchers on a range of studies that explore sound design and auditory perception. One such contribution includes his work on auditory perception, particularly his patent, *Evaluation of Auditory Capabilities* (WO2024041821A1). This patent presents a method for assessing auditory perception, with potential applications in accessibility, user experience design, and auditory technologies.
Research in Sound and Human-Robot Interaction
Dr McGregor’s research covers sound design, auditory perception, and human-robot interaction (HRI). He investigates how naming conventions shape perceptions of robotic personalities, improving trust and usability in assistive robotics. His research in sonification aids scientific analysis, while his work on auditory alerts improves their effectiveness in healthcare and transportation. He also explores how immersive audio enriches virtual and mixed reality and examines Foley artistry’s impact on character realism in animation. Collaborating with industry and academia, he applies these insights to mixed reality, film, video games, and robotics.
Industry Experience
At the start of his career, Dr McGregor worked with renowned artists and organisations, including the Bolshoi Opera, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle, Ravi Shankar, and Nina Simone. His work integrates auditory technologies with creative methodologies, driving innovation in sound research and education. In addition to his academic work, he is currently serving as a consultant for technology companies in the fields of mixed reality and robotics, helping to shape the development of innovative auditory interfaces.
Academic Contributions and Mentorship
Beyond his research, Dr McGregor mentors MSc and PhD students in sound design, auditory perception, and human-computer interaction. He encourages interdisciplinary collaboration among designers, engineers, and cognitive scientists. He contributes to curriculum development, aligning courses with advancements in sound and interactive media design. His work in interactive media design and auditory perception informs research and industry practices.
Technological and Adaptive Advancements in Sound Design
Advancements in reinforcement learning and edge computing are enabling real-time adaptation in sound design. These technologies allow auditory interfaces to intelligently filter and process sounds, reducing noise while enhancing clarity. Extended audiograms and dynamic digital signal processing (DDSP) further optimise clarity while minimising cognitive load. By integrating real-time adjustments based on user-specific hearing profiles, auditory systems can offer a consistent and accessible listening experience across different environments.
Sound Design in Cultural and Museum Spaces
In cultural and museum environments, sound design is also becoming more interactive and adaptive. Augmented reality audio systems offer dynamic storytelling and personalised navigation, responding to visitor movement and engagement levels. Audio cues can guide individuals with mobility constraints along optimised routes, while tailored auditory content enhances inclusivity and immersion.
Sound Design for Digital and Interactive Environments
Sound design is transforming interaction with digital environments, robotics, and everyday devices by enhancing immersion, accessibility, and engagement. Spatial audio accurately places sound in mixed reality, creating more natural user experiences, while in robotics, auditory cues foster trust and facilitate smoother interactions. Augmented reality audio supports dynamic storytelling and navigation, adapting to user movement and preferences. Additionally, personalised auditory content and accessibility-focused cues improve inclusivity in museums, public spaces, and virtual environments.
Sound Design in Transportation and IoT
To compensate for the near-silent operation of electric vehicles, the automotive industry is developing tailored audio cues that enhance safety and driver awareness. As the Internet of Things (IoT) expands, intuitive auditory interfaces are becoming crucial for seamless device navigation and control. Advancements in loudspeaker technology are also helping reduce noise pollution while improving communication in public spaces.
The Future of Sound Design
Research continues to advance adaptive and personalised sound experiences across multiple domains. Innovations in extended audiograms and dynamic digital signal processing (DDSP) optimise clarity while reducing cognitive load, ensuring accessibility across different environments and hearing abilities. Emerging sound technologies are exploring real-time adjustments tailored to user-specific hearing profiles, enhancing personalisation in auditory media experiences. As sound design evolves, it will create more intuitive, efficient, and engaging experiences that seamlessly adapt to diverse user needs.
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