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US orchestra conducted by robot
Having worked in the classical music profession, I can appreciate that following a robotic conductor can be awkward and tiresome ... I never expected to see an actual robot conducting an orchestra though.
A US orchestra has held its most unusual performance - being conducted by a robot.
The Detroit Symphony was led by Asimo, a 1.3 metre (4ft 3in) tall robot designed by car manufacturer Honda as it performed The Impossible Dream.
Asimo was programmed to mimic the orchestra's education director as he conducted the piece in front of a pianist six months ago.
But the robot cannot respond to the musicians' actions.
So during early rehearsals, Asimo - which stands for Advanced Step In Innovative Mobility - slowed the tempo and the orchestra lost its place, something a human would have sensed.
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Comments (1)
at 19:03 on May 15th, 2008
Hi Alan, this story has been posted several times in the past few days:
http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/robot-leads-detroit-symphony
http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/robots-take-over-detroit-symphony-orchestra
http://www.nowpublic.com/tech-biz/robot-conducts-detroit-orchestra
Consider adding your comments to our existing reporting? Thanks.