2 ‘Muscle Machine’ also named ‘Anatomical Exoskeleton’
"The robot is more than ‘an extension of the body’, the body is ‘more than a brain for the machine’”
(Stelarc in ‘The Cyborg Experiments’, Hall & Zylinska 2003:9).
Concept picture courtesy of DRU TNTU
Background and concept of the collaborative project
‘Muscle Machine‘ is a six legged walking robot actuated by pneumatic rubber muscles that explores a novel hybrid human-machine system. It is powered by pneumatics, utilising fluid muscle actuators - rubber muscles that contract when inflated, producing pulling forces. This interdisciplinary performance project combines elements of performance art, dance and sound. The project has been researching the possibilities of creative interaction between humans and machines through the robot’s engineering architecture. The project is also using a wireless sensor system to trigger interactive sounds. The operator composes the sounds by choreographing the movements of the machine.
The operator stands on the ground amidst the machine leg structure which incorporates a skeletal frame connecting the human body to the machine. Encoders on the frame joints will provide information that will allow the human controller to move and direct the machine as well as vary the speed at which it will travel. For example, the action of the human operator lifting a leg will lift 3 alternate machine legs and swing them forward. By turning its torso, the body will make the machine walk in the direction it is facing. The action of lifting and lowering the arms will slow or speed up the motion of the machine. Thus the interface and interaction will be a direct and natural one, allowing a new kind of intuitive human-machine choreography.
Cyberception The emergent human faculty of technologically-augmented cognition and perception (Roy Ascott 1996)
Hall, Gary & Zylinska, Joanna(2003) Talking Heads Listening to Stelarc. Publication on the occasion of the launch of ‘The Anatomical Exoskeleton’ Nottingham Trent University.