Shimon: The Robot Musician

With advances in humanoid robotics making robots capable of increasingly complex functions, it is only a matter of time until they master domains of artistry and virtuoso ability previously considered uniquely human. Shimon, a robot created by the Georgia Institute of Technology Robotic Musicianship Group, is a revolutionary robot designed to not only play the marimba but also perform rhythmic improvisation using melodic and harmonic perception algorithms.

Shimon has also been trained to use built-in cameras for human face-recognition and team plans to improve the system so it can also recognize specific gestures, making collaborative improvisation with other musicians possible.

Shimon recently performed at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in DC. He has also performed live on stage with human musicians as well as virtually with collaborators halfway around the world.

via New Scientist

Maria Popova is the editor of Brain Pickings, a curated inventory of miscellaneous interestingness. She writes for Wired UK, GOOD Magazine, Design Observer and Huffington Post, and spends a shameful amount of time on Twitter.