Robot Music
August 23, 2010
ATHLETE Celebrates Dance Day
NASA has been testing ATHLETE, an all-terrain robot for use on the Moon and Mars, but recently took a day off in honor of National Dance Day to bust a move. This certainly proves that even hexapods can have rhythm.
Via NASA
July 15, 2010
Spruce Deuce - Robot Drummer
Musician/artist Steve Averill created Spruce Deuce, a robotic drummer made from birch plywood that gets his rhythm from arm and wrist servos. He is controlled by a Highly Liquid MD24 MIDI servo controller. Interestingly enough, the bot is quite proficient, holds his sticks the right way and seems to respond to voice commands, although he misses some of the subtleties one usually finds in jazz musicians. Oh, wait, that's a robot.
Via Synthtopia
June 25, 2010
Must Have: MC Lars Gigantic Robot Memory Stick
Fans of MC Lars, this 2GB USB Memory Stick is for you. The 3" tall device contains MP3s from the album "This Gigantic Robot Kills," a PDF Digital Booklet and music video "Guitar Hero Hero." It has a handy keychain clip and can be reused when you have had enough of the tunes.
Via MC Lars Memory Stick
June 7, 2010
SpaceJustin - Telepresence Break Dancer
SpaceJustin was designed to head into the final frontier and assist his human counterparts. The musical bot made his debut at the recent International Aerospace Show in Germany and did a bit of break dancing via telepresence. Let's hope that the astronauts remember to give him plenty of room to do his thing.
Via io9
June 3, 2010
Stephen Colbert Wary of Jazz Robots
If you are a fan of Stephen Colbert, then you probably already saw his report that claims jazz robots are a threat to Americans. If not, here it is for the rest of you. Shimon is the product of Guy Hoffman and Georgia Tech, who designed it to be able to improvise.
Via Guy Hoffman
April 22, 2010
Robotic Orchestrion Goes on Tour
It's been a while since we found any musicbots but the Orchestrion Project certainly belongs in that category. Run by musician Pat Metheny, various instruments come up with some creative results. The acoustic and acoustoelectric musical instruments are controlled by solenoids and pneumatics. Check out Metheny's site for more details and tour dates.
Via Pat Metheny
March 4, 2010
Wii Remotes Contro Robo-Band Percussionist
Patrick Flanagan took two Nintendo Wiimotes and created a percussionist for the robo-band Jazari. When one plays, it can create a response from other ones to create a drum circle. The buttons control the tones and volume, while tilting can change the pace of the beat. The band was named for Al-Jazari, a man that supposedly created the planet's first robotic band in the 13th century.
Via Popsci
January 14, 2010
University Of Malaga Robots Make Music
A University of Malaga group in Spain, led by Professor Elizabeth Barbancho, devised a Lego Mindstorms NXT that can play Name That Tune when you play chords on the guitar, tickle piano keys, whistle or hum. The clever bot will then suggest other songs that are similar. A team also came up with a system that uses augmented reality technology to make a virtual keyboard, useful for those without a real one. Other researchers from the group came up with a method of turning ordinary songs into a format that is similar to the one used in "Guitar Hero."
Via EPA (translated)
November 19, 2009
Music Tank Follows Tunefully
Mint Robot #3: Music Tank was inspired by Caterpiller's tractor tread movements. Remote controlled, it will follow its human around by playing music. The musical bot runs via a WiFi handheld or PC with a 2D map. A USB port allows for charging or loading tunes into the the prototype. Add more Tanks and get different instruments or vocals, turning it into a veritable surround sound robot.
Via Mint Pass
August 20, 2009
Share Your Tunes With Splitterbot
Splitterbot is not only a cutesy bot, it doubles as a headphone splitter. Decapitate him to find the audio in jack and poke two pairs of earbuds into his eyes. While this may sound a bit sadistic we have to remember that even the most endearing robots were made for a reason. Get yours for $19.60.
Via Tesora
August 12, 2009
Cybraphon Literally Feels the Music
It is not a proper robot per se, but Cybraphon is a musical cabinet that cares. Three UK artists built the autonomous emotional robot band that houses a Shruti box, chimes, cymbals, other percussion instruments and a record player. Connected to the Interweb, it monitors its popularity on Facebook and can readjust its music based on that and mood. Check out its tunes on Facebook and if you like what you hear, there are plans in to works to release actual albums by the furniture/robot.
Via Cybraphon
July 21, 2009
BERTIs Sing to UK Museum
Recently 3 BERTI robots made another appearance at the London Science Museum. Since the museum is now 100 years old, the bots sang happy birthday in its honor. Perhaps they could hire them out as singing telegrams.
Via ICCMR
July 6, 2009
G1 Optimus Prime Protects and Plays Music
This G1 Optimus Prime is musically inclined. When plugged into your USB, the 3 lb. gadget's helmet folds out to become a pair of speakers. Set to arrive this month for $49.99, get the collectors grade for an additional $2.00 that comes sealed inside its box.
Via Big Bad Toy Store
July 3, 2009
Must Have: Tengu All Stars
He may not move around much but we found our Tengu way too much fun for humans when he first came out. (Note that the face cover was left on to protect him from our cat.)
Our bud Mr. Jones has a new batch that he has dubbed the All Stars. Each one is as much fun as the original but now you can make it more your own with wig and stickers. He will work through both Mac and PC USB ports and will respond to any noise he hears. He has several different expressions and will be your friend for £25 (~$36.00,) even when no one else will.
(Thanks, Crispin)
Via Tengu
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