Robots Create Art From Shadows And Screams
Writing by Evan Ackerman on Thursday, 14 of May , 2009 at 4:06 am
Christian Cerrito’s collaborative robots (“Cobots”) are interactive artists, taking input from humans and using it to create line drawings. There are two types of bots: the SoundBot, which translates noises into movement commands, and the ShadowBot, which draws around shadows. While people are encouraged to interact with the little robots directly, Cerrito accidentally made a little bit of art on his own while finishing up his thesis:
While Cerrito was writing his final paper, swearing loudly at his computer, the SoundBot doodled on the floor, recording his frustration. “At some point I looked at the floor, and there was this beautiful drawing,” he said.
In certain situations, the SoundBot requires verbal encouragement to go about its business, and will only move and draw when spoken to. In an alternate setting, the SoundBot draws in a set algorithmic pattern, deviating from its assigned path when yelled or screamed at. Finally, the user can “steer” the SoundBot with their voice, forcing it into a sustained spin by talking or yelling at it, eventually releasing it off in a new direction when they finally quiet down.
More info on ShadowBot, after the jump.
The ShadowBot moves around the interior of its operating space in a systematic fashion, deviating from its course only when it encounters a shadow cast from a viewer. The robot then begins drawing, following the outline of the onlooker’s shadow. If the user holds still, the robot will trace along the delineation between light and dark, capturing an impression of their shadowed silhouette. If the user moves about, he or she can manipulate the path of the machine by bouncing it between the shadows of their hands or arms. Finally, the robot can also be programmed to stay either within or outside of an onlooker’s shadow, treating the line between light and dark as if it were a physical barrier.
Cobots will soon be available as open source hardware and software projects, and should cost between $80 and $100 to construct.
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