The Dresden Symphony Orchestra programmed three mechanical robot arms to conduct a musical piece titled Robot Symphony to celebrate the East German Musical Institution’s 25th anniversary.
The robot arms used to guide the musicians were developed by the Technical University of Dresden in collaboration with the Dresden Symphony Orchestra.
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Markus Rindt, artistic director for the Dresden Symphony Orchestra, said that the orchestra does not intend to replace a human conductor, because people “always do it better”.
However, he said this piece, in particular, capitalises on different tempos and irregular beats, which requires effort difficult for man. “(This) doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world,” he explained.
Tobian Spens, a robotics developer at the Technical University of Dresden, which helped bring the robot arms to life added that the “little movements” that make up the machines’ performance are “incredibly energetic and intense”, requiring a lot of work before the event took place.
One of the performers of Robot Symphony, who did not disclose their name, said the robot arms “wait for no one” and pull the music forward “like a machine”. “They are without mercy,” she said.
Innovations and achievements in and cobots will be highlighted and celebrated at the second annual Robotics & Automation Awards on 06 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.roboticsandautomationawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable industry event – and to book your table!
