Robot Conducts Italian Orchestra
2,251 views · Published 14 September 2017 · 1:54 · Indexed 20 September 2026
Channel: Insider Tech · 2017 · Science & Technology
YuMi the humanoid robot showed no signs of nerves on Tuesday night (September 12) as it raised its baton to conduct the Lucca Philharmonic orchestra alongside Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. The dual-armed robot, designed by Swiss firm ABB, made its debut at Pisa's Verdi Theatre to mark the First International Festival of Robotics in the Tuscan city. Andrea Colombini, the usual conductor of the Lucca orchestra, said YuMi's flexibility and attention to the length and speed of the gestures was "incredible." YuMi, whose name is derived from the phrase 'you and me', was taught all the movements by Colombini, who held its arms in rehearsals so the computer could memorise the correct gestures. The robot is not able to improvise and any unexpected change in tempo from the musicians would have been ruinous. The robot conducted three of the 18 pieces performed on Tuesday night, including the famous aria La Donna e' Mobile, from Verdi's opera Rigoletto. -------------------------------------------------- Follow BI UK on Twitter: http://bit.ly/1Nz3jG3 Follow BI UK on Facebook: http://bit.ly/1VWDkiy Follow BI UK on Instagram: http://bit.ly/2gsLEds Read more on BI UK: uk.businessinsider.com -------------------------------------------------- Business Insider UK is the largest business news site for British readers and viewers in the UK. Our mission: to tell you all you need to know about the big world around you. The BI UK Video team focuses on business, technology, strategy, and culture with an emphasis on unique storytelling and data that appeals to the next generation of leaders.
