Robot Plays the Flute Like a Human

An article from http://newslite.tv/2008/11/06/robot-plays-the-flute-better-t.html
Robot plays the flute like a human
November 6, 2008 6:57 PM



Robots could soon be taking over the orchestra if this chap is anything to go by, and if they do they will be wearing snazzy hats too.

The robot flautist, or WF4IV as he likes to be called (you know what these musical types are like) is the latest creation from Waseda University.

He is able to play complex musical scores perfectly and is even able to engage with the audience giving him what his creators say is a human-like quality.

Everything about him is designed to make him the perfect musician, his mouth and lungs have been carefully designed to mimic and improve upon the expert air control of a professional flautist.

His eyes even have cameras which monitor other members of the orchestra and interact with their performance ... there is however, no explanation for the hat.
WF4IV is, as his name would suggest the forth in series of flute playing robots from the Japanese university.

Research started in 1990 but the first model was not created until 2003.

In this version the robot's tongue was redesigned to enable the double-tonguing technique (not what you are thinking) a high-speed playing technique.


Watch him perform 'Flight of the Bumblebee' almost flawlessly - well certainly better than I could do.

Makers hope he will one day be sophisticated enough to be able to teach music to pupils, hopefully he won't lead them off like the Pied Piper.

Waseda University

Square Watermelon, Japanese Farmers Test the Limits

Round watermelons don't stack very well, especially when you are attempting to ship them in large quantities. So Japanese farmers have developed a way to force watermelons to grow in cubes instead of in large ovals.

Once the small fruit has begun to grow they insert it into a square jug. This forces the watermelon to grow to fit the shape of the jug. Ingenious! Not only does this allow them to ship the fruit more efficiently but it also allows chefs to cut the fruit into neat cubes without any waste. And in Japan, that is a very important selling factor as watermelon is very expensive. According to Japanese restaurant owners, the ability to make every ounce count compensates for the higher price of the square delicacy.

Life is a constant exercise in imagination and ingenuity.