[Synapse elist] Robotics: welcome to new guests

[mari velonaki]

Dear all,

I have been enjoying the very interesting discussion that took place during
the week.
Below, you'll find a 'longish' blurg about me... Similar to the other
guests, my passion is the 'robotic other'.

I have worked as a researcher and artist in the field of interactive media
since 1995, driven by my fascination with the complex area of
human-machine interaction. My practice begins from a series of interactive
installations that engage the spectator/participant with digital and
robotic characters in interplays stimulated by sensory triggered
interfaces. My work aims to create experimental interfaces that allow
haptic and immersive relationships to develop between the participants and
the artwork.

I have created human-machine interfaces that incorporate movement, speech,
touch, breath, electrostatic charge, artificial vision, light and text.
For example, in ‘Unstill Life’ (2000) the consumption of real apples
provides the interface between the audience and a projected character. In
‘Pin Cushion’ (2000), a female character is projected onto a latex
cushion. Large acupuncture needles are embedded into the character’s face.
When the viewer touches the needles, the projected woman responds and
evolves in real time in response to the latent charge on the viewer’s own
body.

In 2003 I began to work with robotics, initiating and leading an ARC
art/science research project ‘Fish–Bird: Autonomous Interactions in a
Contemporary Arts Setting’ in collaboration with robotics scientists Drs
David Rye, Steve Scheding and Stefan Williams at the Australian Centre for
Field Robotics (ACFR: http://www.acfr.usyd.edu.au), The University of
Sydney; industry partners were ANAT, Artspace, Australia Council for the
Arts, Museum of Contemporary Art and Patrick Technology and Systems. The
project created a new mechanism for communication between humans and
machines that incorporates notions of trust and shared intimacy. In
‘Fish-Bird’ two robots in the form of wheelchairs impersonate ‘characters’
who fall in love but cannot be together due to ‘technical difficulties.’
Fish and Bird communicate with each other and their audience via movement
and written text. An important goal for our team was that ‘Fish-Bird’ would
be recognised not only as an artwork but also as an exemplary model of
fully-engaged interdisciplinary research.

Currently I am working on two collaborative projects (with David Rye and
Steve Scheding) using robotics technology at the ACFR. The first, Circle
D: Fragile Balances, (2007–08) involves small-scale portable interactive
objects that are influenced by the attributes and actions of the holder.
The second project, The woman and the snowman (2007–09), creates a
reactive environment that responds to external climatological changes and
is influenced by geographical location.

I have actively advocated the need for a dedicated research space for
Social Robotics in Australia. The field of Social Robotics is concerned
with the creation and appropriate use of robots within society. It is
essential that a cross-disciplinary approach is adopted given the social
implications of such research. In 2006, with Dr David Rye, I co-founded
the Centre for Social Robotics (http://www.acfr.usyd.edu.au/CSR), a centre
dedicated to research into human-robot interaction in environments that
incorporate the general public.

There is currently intense research activity worldwide aimed at producing
robots that can work alongside people to assist them in everyday life.
Much of this research is undertaken by scientists and technologists and
focuses on humanoid robotics. The humanities, let alone the creative arts,
have had little opportunity to influence these developments to date.
Important artworks have been created using robotics technology, yet
artists have not had a decisive role in the development of robotics
science and technology.

I am looking forward to our discussions.


mari



  Mari Velonaki
  Media art & Interface design

  Centre for Social Robotics
  Australian Centre for Field Robotics
  ARC Centre of Excellence in Autonomous Systems
  The Rose Street Building  J04
  The University of Sydney  2006, Australia
  www.acfr.usyd.edu.au
  Ph:  +61-2-9351-5847     Fax:  +61-2-9351-7474






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