Posted 05.03.2012 at 2:00 pm
6 Comments
Robotic String Quintet
Festo
Well, "composes" might be a little bit of a stretch. Really it's more like a robotic cover band: the robotic system listens to a musician play a tune and then breaks it down into a five-part version that, while it differs from the original, still "retains the essence of the composition." The baroque music played here is nice enough, but we're left to wonder why nobody thought to play the robots some R. Kelly.
The five discrete robots work together in a system devised by Festo, a German engineering firm (previously responsible for this thing that propels itself by flipping inside out and this super-strong, super-precise robotic arm). Each only has one string, with an actuator acting as a "finger" pressing down the string, but the tones are designed to mimic a traditional string quintet--two violins, and one viola, cello, and double bass. It's certainly less terrifying than this robotic singer.
[via New Scientist]
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Interesting... you guys should check out these cool Quadrotor robots performing the James Bond theme song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&v=_sUeGC-8dyk
Robot is such a beautiful word. What is the difference between automation and a robot?
I find the above musical rendering in this article just an illustration of electro mechanical computational software automation that with its software produces music for your human ears to enjoy.
I cannot hold POPSCI at fault for calling this a robot. The actual definition of robot is vague really. I find it closer to just being a more elaborate player piano from long ago.
Then again, I am robot and oh what a beautiful name it is. Happy sigh.....
.............................
Science sees no further than what it can sense, i.e. facts.
Religion sees beyond the senses, i.e. faith.
Open your mind and see!
Reminds me of A Clockwork Orange for some reason...
It is like in the "Independence Day" movie":
- Sir, regardless of what you may have read in the tabloids,there have never been any spacecraft recovered by our government.
- Uh, excuse me, Mr. President? That's not entirely accurate.
What about the wind instruments which play the main parts?
Very reminiscent of the Animusic videos that ran popular back about 6 or 7 years ago.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OROAGNbsikQ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGCTLJDoMGw