Shimon Learns To Headbang

Writing by Evan Ackerman on Monday, 7 of December , 2009 at 3:19 am

We keep talking about those small touches that can give even the least outwardly human robot a human personality, and a non-creepy one at that. Shimon, a marimba playing robot capable of improv, has been upgraded with a head and the ability to “headbang,” which makes him exponentially more expressive, as you can see from the video. It’s not just to look cool, either… In order for Shimon to be an effective participant in improvisational music, such visual cues are important. Or so I’m told. I don’t know about you, but I was headbanging right along with him after 5 seconds or so.

To listen to some of the music that Shimon makes, check out our post about him from last April here.

[ Shimon ]

Comments (2)

Category: Musical

2 Comments

Comment by Dan

Made Thursday, 10 of December , 2009 at 9:15 am

First Intercontinental Musical Jam Session Between Humans in Japan and Robot in USA

ZOOZbeat Founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Gil Weinberg will jam live from SIGGRAPH Asia 2009 emerging technologies conference in Yokohama, Japan December 16-19, 2009 with Shimon; an autonomous robotic marimba player at Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology that he created. At SIGGRAPH Asia, musicians and non-musicians will also ZOOZin’ it with Shimon.

Story:
http://www.zoozmobile.com/blog/?p=295

On behalf of the ZOOZbeat team in Atlanta,

Dan in the ZOOZbeat Musician Relations Dept.
Email: dan@ZOOZmobile.com
Phone: 404-496-8512 (Google Voice Number)
http://www.ZOOZbeat.com
Live video chat: “ZOOZbeat HelpDesk” on TokBox.com

Comment by Joey1058

Made Monday, 14 of December , 2009 at 1:49 am

I missed it the first time, but as I’m watching, the head blinks it’s eye! Too cool!

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From the folks who brought you OhGizmo.com, BotJunkie obsessively chronicles Man's inevitable descent into cybernetic slavery.

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