Robot Quadrotors Perform James Bond Theme

[Bill @ Irie Lab]

I've had musicians step out to "recharge the batteries" -- here's what can be done with a an Ivy League education and some time on your hands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sUeGC-8 ... ture=share

Flying robot quadrotors perform the James Bond Theme by playing various instruments including the keyboard, drums and maracas, a cymbal, and the debut of an adapted guitar built from a couch frame. The quadrotors play this "couch guitar" by flying over guitar strings stretched across a couch frame; plucking the strings with a stiff wire attached to the base of the quadrotor. A special microphone attached to the frame records the notes made by the "couch guitar".

These flying quadrotors are completely autonomous, meaning humans are not controlling them; rather they are controlled by a computer programed with instructions to play the instruments.

[Bill @ Irie Lab]

I fear for the usefulness of human artists, we in the the music industry are
often the last to see trends develop (We still were looking for good
singers when Auto-Tune came along and for drummers when beat-boxes were
already in the stores!) but with your new robotic helpers musicians will
be even more thankful for the 'day job'

[Gregg Juke]

That was rad cool and all, but I have to admit, I don't feel threatened (musically) at all.

Now, if they become sentient and try to take over the world, eradicating all illogical, carbon-based biological units, droning on in a metallic monotone about how "resistance is futile," I may become quite hysterical...

GJ

[BrontoSoreAss]

In case anyone is interested here is a link to the TED talk about these crazy little robots:
http://www.ted.com/talks/vijay_kumar_ro ... erate.html
Madness.