Animatronics

Attended a very interesting meeting regarding a new EPSRC funded robotics outreach project. At the meeting were some Hollywood animatronics guys who among other things were responsible for the ABC-Warrior (below) from Judge Dread and the robot (Robbie?) from Lost in Space.



Though my work on human motion deals with asthetics to some degree it is quite a new twist to think of robots as only having to look good on camera. That requirement aside these guys are great at what they do (though I think the massive budgets help somewhat!).

BRL Project Description

A description of my PhD research project has been added to the Bristol Robotics Lab project pages website.

I like to keep this blog (mostly) seperated from my PhD so head to 'ANDy' to read about what I'm lucky enough to get paid to work on.

Keyboard Hack

Chopped up a broken M-Audio Keystation USB keyboard to make an effects box.

The keyboard had been dumped at the local tip and after taking it home I discovered it was because the keys didn't work. The pitch, modulation and volume controls all provided midi signals though and make a nice physical interface for music software. Much more enjoyable that moving sliders around with a mouse. Thanks to Pete for software advice.

Test_Lab Presentation Online

Tom's talk on the Enactive Torch at Test_Lab (see previous post) has been put online as a streaming video. Here is the link: http://live.v2.nl/multimodel.ram

Tom starts talking at arond 2:04:40 and I'm once again described as a 'mad scientist'...

Test_Lab

Tomorrow the Enactive Torch is going to be demonstrated at V2 Test_Lab in Rotterdam by my collegue Tom Froese.

Here's a blurb for the event from V2:

'Test_Lab: Multimodal will demonstrate and discuss new methods and technologies to stimulate senses that are not commonly incorporated in artistic concepts, and will introduce innovative ways to integrate sensory experiences in art and media. In doing so, Test_Lab: Multimodal reveals the obstacles faced, and achievements made, in contemporary aRt&D that aims to enhance the sensorial richness of art and media experiences in (technologically) integrated ways.'


Unfortunately commitments to my PhD and funding issues means that I won't be attending this event.

Switch Experiments

Scratched at a jam session organised by members of Skyline Dossier a reading-based band that I highly recommend.


Still trying to figure out how to get good sound out of a turntable in a practice room. As usual feedback and reverb raised their unwanted heads.

Haptic Torch PCBs

A small run of Haptic Torch PCBs have been produced for student projects at Reading University. The Haptic Torch was my undergraduate final year project and precursor to the Enactive torch.

Apologies for the poor photograph, my camera phone is a little dated...