Miuro Robot Has The Ability to Interpret Music According to Algorithms

Leave it to the Japanese to make a robot that rocks and rolls according to mathematical patterns.

Miuro, a 14-inch-long robot from ZMP inc., has been programmed with the ability to interpret music according to algorithms. The patterns have been preprogrammed, but the robot uses those algorithms as guidelines to interpreting how to respond to the beat of the music. In a demonstration, Miuro shook its electronic groove thing in time to music coming from an iPod.


That might sound like a slight difference in semantics, but it's a monumental one in robotics because it gives the robot a bit of freedom in movement. In effect, the robot is still performing according to some sort of instructions, but the robot is choosing which pattern to follow. The algorithms are basic enough that they can lead to a large number of permutations. And that leads to spontaneous movement from robots.

The robot unveiled in Tokyo in the past few days is an update of the much simpler Miuro that was unleashed on the public a year ago. For the record, Miuro is an acronym, which stands for music innovation based on utility robot technology.




Written by Annie Groer
Published in Other Tech