Sep 24 2010
Lars Asplund, a Computer Science Assistant Professor at Malardalen University and Kerstin Gauffin, a colleague from the theater department developed a dying swan robot with the help of a modular system. The height of the robot is approximately 1m and its wings, neck, beak and the feet include 19 unique joints, providing flexibility to the robot.
Swan Robot
In order to make their robot swan to perform various dance movements, Kerstin approached Asa Unander-Scharin, a dance choreographer who has done extensive research and has written a dissertation related to the topic "Human Mechanics and Soulful Machines." She moved the articulated body parts of the swan, in order to dance to the tune of Tchaikovsky's music. These motions were simultaneously recorded in the robot’s software. At the end of the session, the robot’s software recollected the movement pattern and performed it as a complete dance program. It was reported that the four-minute-long dance was performed in front of a selected group of people who were totally impressed.
Lars Asplund has stated that their goal was to investigate the limitations of a robot, determine the extent to which it can impersonate human expressions and also to explore the level of impact it creates on people in performing artistic movements.
Unander-Scharin expressed her excitement over seeing the people getting emotionally touched by the swan robot’s performance and she added that she enjoyed teaching dance to the swan robot.
The swan robot will be showcased at Sweden's largest book fair in Gothenburg, from September 23 to 26.