Robot Quadrotors Perform James Bond Theme

See how this video was made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfxS6...

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.

Penn's School of Engineering and Applied Science is home to some of the most innovative robotics research on the planet, much of it coming out of the General Robotics, Automation, Sensing and Perception (GRASP) Lab.

This video premiered at the TED2012 Conference in Long Beach, California on February 29, 2012. Deputy Dean for Education and GRASP lab member Vijay Kumar presented some of this groundbreaking work at the TED2012 conference, an international gathering of people and ideas from technology, entertainment, and design.

The engineers from Penn, Daniel Mellinger and Alex Kushleyev, have formed a company called KMel Robotics that will design and market these quadrotors.

More information: http://www.upenn.edu/spotlights/penn-...

Video Produced and Directed by Kurtis Sensenig
Quadrotors and Instruments by Daniel Mellinger, Alex Kushleyev and Vijay Kumar

• Category

  Science & Technology

[elkano788]

That cymbal bot is beyond adorable

He's working so hard!

[MastaMatt123]

But can it play Freebird?

[dingusmungus]

Because SCIENCE thats why!

[crazycat128]

brilliant

[florencelovme]

lol!

[william leshitski]

they need to be armed, these will be great for population control and monitoring. its about time. it would be noisy having tousands of these all over the sky. but they could watch each person 24/7. perfect for pa.

[buccigm]

Shut up and take my money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rcinful]

Way cool. Technology meets simple mechanics!

[Pete Hairington]

no thanks I'll take the creepyNorth Korean children playing guitars over this. thank you.

[guitargamery]

lolol, i like the drummer