Ever wondered how your phone quietly communicates with the world around you?

PulseTrap reveals the hidden world of electromagnetic signals emitted by smartphones during constant data exchange. It makes the invisible audible—because people love giving access to their data, whether they’re aware of it or not. Simply place your phone near the opening and trigger the device.

This analog-to-digital interactive installation was developed as part of my bachelor’s thesis.

The custom circuitry, based on a DIY guide by Jonáš Gruska (LOM Audio), captures electromagnetic interference and translates it into sound. That sound is accompanied by a dynamically reactive LED embedded within the object, driven by an Arduino circuit controlled via Ableton Live.

The installation is activated when the audience scans a QR code inside the circle which shows them a website—an action that also allowed me to gather basic data about their devices, subtly pointing to how easily digital privacy is overlooked.