Apollo the Oracle – AI Voice Kiosk + Inflatable Character Experience for LEAF Festival

Lead Developer
Built as Lead Developer on the Interactive Knowledge team for LEAF Festival

A joyful, glowing 12-foot inflatable alien character paired with an energetic, music-loving AI voice kiosk experience created for the LEAF Global Arts & Music Festival. Apollo blends humor, cosmic metaphors, and emotional warmth to spark uplifting conversations with festival visitors while maintaining safe and inclusive dialogue.

Video demonstration of the Apollo the Oracle – AI Voice Kiosk + Inflatable Character Experience for LEAF Festival project

Technologies Used

  • React
  • Node.js
  • OpenAI
  • SQLite
  • Electron
  • Web Speech API

Project Details

Client Background

The LEAF Global Arts & Music Festival brings together artists, families, and cultural communities from around the world to celebrate creativity, kindness, and connection. The festival sought an interactive installation that combined large-scale art with conversational AI — something playful, soulful, and unforgettable.

Apollo the Oracle was created as a radiant, upbeat blue alien from “Planet Claire,” designed to charm festivalgoers with cosmic jokes, uplifting vibes, and gentle wisdom. Paired with a 12-foot inflatable sculpture, Apollo invites attendees into moments of fun, imagination, and personal reflection.

Project Goals

  1. Create a Playful, High-Energy Festival Character:
    Develop a persona full of warmth, humor, curiosity, and cosmic flair — a friendly alien who feels like an intergalactic best friend.
  2. Blend Visual Spectacle With Interactive AI:
    Combine a towering inflatable sculpture with a responsive AI kiosk to create a cohesive art-meets-technology experience.
  3. Promote Joy, Inclusivity, and Emotional Connection:
    Encourage guests to reflect on what brings them joy, share festival highlights, and express themselves freely in a positive atmosphere.
  4. Maintain Strong Content Boundaries:
    Ensure conversations remain family-friendly, nonpolitical, festival-safe, and aligned with LEAF’s values of positivity and respect.
  5. Perform Reliably in Noisy Outdoor Environments:
    Deliver clear speech, fast response times, and resilient interaction flow despite festival sound levels.

👋 Get to Know Me

Learn More About Me

From sound engineering to AI systems—discover the journey that shaped how I build technology.