The Phonoautobothy was a unique solar-powered multi-purpose music trailer. This creative project, led by the University of Glasgow, brought together art and engineering science to showcase the use of renewable energy for power generation on a small scale to diverse communities in Glasgow.
Through encouraging families and adults alike to get hands on with instruments and record music powered only through solar energy, along with wider engineering activities highlighting other renewable energy including racing wind-powered cars, the Phonoautobothy aimed to prompt interest and inspire a deeper understanding of renewable energy locally, including new awareness of alternative means of energy generation different to diesel. Through this, the mobile music trailer looked to promote a positive attitude towards the practical steps that can be taken towards the environmental transition in Glasgow and understanding of the role of research to achieve this. The mobile nature of the activities meant it could be embedded in community settings and arts festivals, enabling the activities to connect with audiences who both have not previously engaged with University research and who are also newer to renewable energy conversations. For those involved in delivering the activities, like the volunteer researchers, the project aimed to foster new skills and confidence in public engagement, and build new collaborations across disciplines and organisations including Glasgow Life and Beatroute Arts.
In 2024 the project delivered six Phonoautobothy engagement events collaborating with community partners and music festivals across the city of Glasgow.
The project’s activities were tailored to each event, but generally participants got involved in two main components of the Phonoautobothy. The first was a one-of-a-kind solar-powered trailer where participants were offered a free 20-minute slot to play, record a sample of music of their choice and transfer the result to a cassette tape which could then be decorated and taken home. The side panels were often opened so passers-by could watch and there were also performances from the booth. Drawn in through the format, the intention was to engage on the role of engineering in music production, including the energy and science that powered the Phonoautobothy – even in a cloudy Glasgow!
An engineering stall complemented the off-grid studio, focusing on connecting attendees with researchers and creating an accessible and engaging space for families with short “hook” activities, including colouring, engineering games and building a wind-powered car. Here whole families could talk with engineers and volunteers, who facilitated informal conversations, and ask questions on renewable energy topics as they built together, including portable renewable power, transition from diesel to low carbon power, community energy in the city, and different renewable energy sources.
