Honda's bot conducts the impossible dream
In another step on mankind's road to bitter servitude at the hands of intelligent machines, Honda’s ASIMO robot this week conducted the Detroit Symphony in a performance of “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha. (Which has apparently become an anthem of sorts for Honda.) I know what you're thinking: Detroit has a symphony orchestra? I was shocked too. But not as shocked as the world’s conductors will be when those baton-wielding bots put them out of work. Sure, symphony leaders probably make up less than .0001% of the global workforce — but it’s a bridgehead those metal fiends won’t soon surrender. You can already see them doing recon in this ASIMO commercial by Wieden + Kennedy. At the concert, the robot said: “It is absolutely thrilling to perform with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. This is a magnificent concert hall.” Who programmed this guy, Honda’s PR department? Oh, yeah. I guess they did. UPDATE: Here's a video of the performance.
—Posted by David Gianatasio
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May 15, 2008 in Gianatasio, Robots | Permalink
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Comments
Detroit has had one of the best orchestras in the US for decades, one of the "big league" orchestras with a history of conductors - and musicians - respected internationally. Why are you surprised? Hasn't it boasted some other major-league outfits over the years?
Posted by: Jane S | May 20, 2008 9:19:49 PM
He also falls down stairs... Bloody hell!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASoCJTYgYB0
Posted by: Ross Popoff-Walker | Jun 25, 2008 11:40:04 AM
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