Robot Directs Detroit Symphony Orchestra Video

You've probably been thinking that robots are the ones who will be taking orders in our future society. This Honda ASIMO robot, however, was the one providing direction to humans.


(Honda Asmimo conducts orchestra video)

ASIMO walked quietly on-stage, waved to the orchestra, and then conducted the DSO in a performance of "The Impossible Dream" from The Man of La Mancha.

In the performance, ASIMO is essentially a humanoid metronome; it cannot sense the tempo of the music as played by the musicians.

"It's not a communicative device. It simply is programmed to do a sense of gestures," said Leonard Slatkin, the orchestra's musical director. "If the orchestra decides to go faster, there's nothing the robot can do about it. Hopefully, I keep that under control."

I don't ever remember reading about a robotic conductor; however, I think that if ASIMO gets tired of working with humans, it has it's choice of robots to jam with. See Robot Taiko Drummers Give Up Factory Day Jobs and Juke Bot Robot - Kuka Kicks It.

Via Honda robot conducts Detroit Symphony to warm response; thanks to Moira for the tip and sources.

Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 5/16/2008)

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