ASIMO, robot high of about 130 centimeters and developed by Honda Motor Co., has lead his first symphony orchestra in an interpretation of The Impossible Dream, from Man of La Mancha. From his voice child, the robot was sent to the public with a “Hello World”, before assuming his duties at the desk of the conductor. A representation exciting
Imitating the perfection movements of a real maestro, shaking his head or waving his arm, ASIMO said at the end of his performance: “It is really exciting to play with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. It is a magnificent concert hall. The spokesman for Honda, for its part, welcomed this first large, but of course there is a trick. In fact, ASIMO has been programmed specifically to imitate Charles Burke, the chief official of the orchestra. Moreover, ASIMO can meet the musicians nor react to their movements. During the first rehearsal, the orchestra has lost the momentum when ASIMO has slowed down the tempo, what a human would have received and corrected immediately.
Scheduled for a gesture
“This is not a communication device. It is simply programmed to make gestures, “says Leonard Slatkin, director of the orchestra. “If the musicians decide to go faster, there is nothing that the robot can do against that. Fortunately, I can keep my place! ”
For musicians, “the robot’s movements are still a little stiff, but quite similar to those of humans, much more fluid than I thought,” said Larry Hutchison, bass. The presence of ASIMO at this concert was also there to highlight the donation of one million dollars made by Honda in the orchestra for music education.