Sergey Antonovich, an embedded systems engineer, has turned a childhood passion for music into a unique venture by creating bespoke digital accordions. While his early experiences with the instrument were less than thrilling, Antonovich’s recent rediscovery of the accordion has led him to blend his technical expertise with musical creativity.
Growing up in Chekhov, a small town near Moscow, Antonovich was introduced to the accordion at age eight, selected by his mother. Despite his initial enthusiasm, his teenage interests shifted towards electronics, where he found a passion for building gadgets. This fascination paved the way for a successful career focused on environmental-monitoring devices and, more recently, on sensor systems for autonomous vehicles at Avride’s research and development hub in Austin, Texas.
From Electronics to Accordions
Antonovich’s professional journey began after he graduated from the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute in 2010. He initially worked at Ecosfera, a company specializing in safety measurement devices. His role involved designing hardware that monitored conditions like temperature, humidity, and wind speed, ensuring compliance with strict regulations. This experience laid the groundwork for his later endeavors in embedded systems and the Internet of Things.
In 2021, Antonovich joined Yandex, the operator of Russia’s leading search engine, to work on its autonomous vehicle program. The transition to Avride, following a corporate restructuring, allowed him to focus on developing vehicle sensor systems. His work involves integrating radar and lidar technology to enhance vehicle perception, ensuring that autonomous cars can navigate complex environments safely.
Yet, it was Antonovich’s personal connection to music that prompted him to delve into building digital accordions. After noticing a wave of new digital accordions emerging in 2017, he decided to modify his old acoustic instrument. He dusted off the accordion and quickly reconnected with his musical abilities.
Innovative Designs and Technical Challenges
Determined to improve upon traditional digital accordions, Antonovich began creating a self-contained device that addressed common shortcomings. Many existing instruments were cumbersome, often requiring heavy external modules and wired connections. By integrating a synthesizer, internal microphones, and wireless transmitters into his design, he aimed to create a more versatile and mobile instrument.
The technical challenges he encountered mirrored those in his work on autonomous vehicles, particularly regarding signal processing. To ensure a seamless musical experience, the digital accordion must quickly manage inputs from various buttons and keys, minimizing latency. Antonovich states, “A high-quality system should produce sound in less than 10 milliseconds; exceeding this threshold makes playing uncomfortable.”
Currently, Antonovich has developed a collection of both hybrid acoustic-digital and fully digital accordions. While he has crafted instruments for friends, he remains cautious about commercializing his creations. “Turning my hobby into a business would shift my curiosity into necessity,” he explains. “Creating for profit can detract from the joy of making.”
Antonovich’s journey exemplifies how passion and profession can intersect, yielding innovative and artistic outcomes. His work not only highlights the versatility of embedded systems but also showcases the potential for technology to enhance traditional art forms. As he continues to explore the realm of digital music, Antonovich remains committed to blending his engineering skills with his love for music, creating a harmonious blend of both worlds.
