Systems and methods discussed herein are related to read data stored on phonographic records. In various examples, systems and methods may describe a needle assembly able to pivot with respect to a record player body, and include a gate able to block light transmitted from a light emitter. The record player may include a motor and a set of wheels such that it can travel around a stationary phonographic record, and a microcontroller capable of determining a target linear travel speed of the record player and receive and transmit data from the phonographic record.