this dexterous two-armed robot plays multiple bowed instruments at the same time

swedish composer builds two-armed robotic cellist 

Swedish Composer Fredrik Gran has built an impressively dexterous robot that can play two musical instruments at the same time. Dubbed ‘Cello concerto No 1’, the newly unveiled project presents a non-human entity at the intersection of performer and instrument, consisting of two industrial robotic arms. The creative endeavor is Commissioned by contemporary musical ensemble KammarensembleN and Sponsored by the Swedish Arts Council and KUKA Robotics.

all images courtesy of Fredrik Gran

behaving just like a human musician

This agile robot is designed to play two bowed musical instruments, like the cello and the double bass, simultaneously. The industrial creature behaves like a human — one arm takes care of the frets and the other draws the bow across the strings. It also rosins and tightens the bow before playing, and can even play alongside a human at the same time.

‘The composition explores the specific and unique playing techniques afforded by this system, underlines the idiomatic potential of the robot cellist, and investigates its anthropomorphic characteristics and their scenographic implications. The robot cellist has developed individual playing style and techniques along with a reflexive compositional perspective.’ Fredrik Gran explains. 

 

 

 

 

project info: 

 

name: Cello Concerto No. 1
designer: Fredrik Gran

myrto katsikopoulou I designboom

may 23, 2022