Flying robots performing the James Bond Theme

[pokerfan]

Flying robot quadrotors perform the James Bond Theme by playing various instruments including the keyboard, drums and maracas, a cymbal, and the debut of an adapted guitar built from a couch frame.

The quadrotors play this "couch guitar" by flying over guitar strings stretched across a couch frame; plucking the strings with a stiff wire attached to the base of the quadrotor. A special microphone attached to the frame records the notes made by the "couch guitar".

These flying quadrotors are completely autonomous, meaning humans are not controlling them; rather they are controlled by a computer programed with instructions to play the instruments.

Penn's School of Engineering and Applied Science is home to some of the most innovative robotics research on the planet, much of it coming out of the General Robotics, Automation, Sensing and Perception (GRASP) Lab.

[TheWraith]

1. That is both scary and awesome.

I'm so glad right now that we have only rudimentary artificial intelligence tech.

[targetpractice]

2. They need to stop doing this.

And, stop messing with that bird flu strain in the lab.

Don't we have enough to worry about already?

[KeepItReal]

3. FTW

Nice programming.

Give those kids an "A"

[OnyxCollie]

4. That's great! nt

[GiveMeFreedom]

5. amazing

I have had and still have remote control helicopters. Flight has always amazed me. The quads fall in that group for us r/c pilots. Watching them fly a pre-programmed routine is entertaining. Here is what a human can do.

[pokerfan]

8. Have you seen the ornithopter?

The original Sean Kinkade (SK) Park Hawk! Version 1! What an amazing machine. Its hard to believe when you first see it, but it is the easiest thing to fly and has proven to be quite robust. Robert found this gem hanging from the roof of one of our local hobby shops and had to pick it up. I had been eyeing it for quite a while and maybe I should have picked it up. Either way its a joy to witness and to fly.

http://flappingflight.com/

[DavidDvorkin]

6. When they get their 007 rating, that will be the time to be scared

Of course, then it will be too late!

[HopeHoops]

7. They're going to record as soon as the drummer gets out of rehab.

[Occulus]

9. And that's the most awesome thing I've seen this week

[Diclotican]

10. pokerfan

pokerfan

Impresive..

Now, if they do manage to make it into a symf orchestra, then I wil be really impressed ..

But, for beeing tiny things, that is impressive...

Diclotican