Soft Manipulator is a playful interactive installation where the audience experiments with poly-rhythms, mechanics, and objects. Everyday items like glasses, pots, as well as small musical instruments are placed on a light platform. Seven robotic mechanic devices can be manipulated interactively by the audience, manipulating the sound of the objects. The six robotic mechanics beat the objects, creating a constantly changing polyrhythmic web of sound and rhythm.

“Simon Moritz Geist’s new work ‘Soft Manipulator’, continues to explore the black box of electronic sound production by laying out an array of everyday objects and mini-robots, which acoustically interact with these objects, on the flat surface of a table. As in his previous well-known robot installation “MR 808 Interactive Drum Machine”, the audience can control this interaction, this time by means of easily manipulating objects and knobs which require no particular expertise to operate. Thus the installation supports an inherent desire for experimentation and sound – in a playful way with everyday objects and mechanical robots.” (Jessica Buskirk, ALTANA Gallery)

Date of release: 2017 To be seen till February 2018 at Altana Gallery Dresden Kustodie der TU Dresden Helmholtzstraße 9, 01069 Dresden Open: Mo – Fr 10Am – 6Pm Uhr

Funded with support of the “Amt für Kultur und Denkmalschutz”

http://sonicrobots.com/Project/soft-manipulator-2017/

EXPANDED TECHNICAL DETAILS

Soft-Robotic Kinematic Orchestration

This artistic and technical installation uses "Soft Actuators" (flexible materials moved by air or cable) to create fluid, organic robotic movements.

• Pneumatic Pressure Control Matrix: The Arduino manages a series of miniature air pumps and solenoid valves. By varying the air pressure inside the soft silicone "Tubes," the Arduino can make the manipulator bend, twist, and grip objects.
• Proportional Pressure-Mapping: Uses a pressure sensor in a closed-loop feedback system. The Arduino runs a PID loop to maintain precisely the correct amount of inflation for every segment of the robotic limb.

Interaction

• Presence-Triggered Behavior: Features ultrasonic sensors to detect viewers. As people approach, the Arduino alters the "Breathing" and "Movement" of the installation, creating an interactive, alive-feeling experience.