A recent story over at CNN.com (penned by Matthew Abshire) relates how a Georgia Tech instructor has managed to create a drumming robotic musician. Music Technology Professor Gil Weinberg and his team at Georgia Tech developed a robot — dubbed “Haile” — that can listen and analyze acoustic rythyms, then respond to that input in real-time by drumming a compatible tune. Changes in pitch, tone and rythm are all reacted too differently, making Haile a true participant in a collaborative musical experience. Check out the Haile project site for more info and some impressive video clips of this musical machine in action.
The development of Haile is undoubtedly an impressive feat, but can a robotic percussionist truly serve as a replacement for the likes of the legendary Neil Peart?
Check out some of Neil’s live concert footage (and a CGI rendition of his YYZ solo) then let us know what you think by dropping a blog comment or two in the post comment section. (Sources: CNN.com, Haile project site, Georgia Tech Innovations, Neil Peart web page) – [Jeff James]
Thud.
That’s the sound of my jaw hitting the floor, in time with the drumming robot.
This robot was made to collaberate with humans to create a unique musical experiance, not to copy other artists. Calling it a replacement for Neil Peart makes as much sense as calling Neil Pert a replacement for any other drummer.