An Android robot is to conduct the Korean national orchestra.
A robot will conduct an orchestra in Korea
The 5f11 robot is known as EveR 6 and will conduct the orchestra in the Asian country on Friday (30.06.23) and lead a performance of The Busan Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance of the brand-new 'Disproof', using "programmed movements" and motion caption technology to complete the actions.
Lee Dong-wook of the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, which developed the technology, said:"EveR 6 is a robot that executes programmed movements. The robot is programmed using the ‘motion capture’ technology of digitally recording a person’s baton trajectory through sensor attachments. In the future, we plan to develop the robot through data learning to a stage where a conductor can use it as an auxiliary tool requesting a specific beat."
Meanwhile, Busan Philharmonic director Choi Soo-yeoul explained that he does not believe the technology - which made its debut in 2017 conducting a performance of 'Verdi' at the Verdi Theatre in Pisa - could eventually replace human conductors because there are still elements of conducting an orchestra that cannot rely solely on programming.
He told The Korean Herald"Some people think that conducting is just a combination of hand-waving and keeping the beat. But the more important process is in rehearsing — the process of listening to, correcting and persuading the sound of the orchestra. I believe robots cannot replace humans in conducting, but with this challenge, I think there are some situations where we can utilise robots, like in repetitive practice where we must go mechanically."