51217647
submission
lebijoutier writes:
This video presents the later stages of the painting process with the full process consisting of 32 stages spread across three days.
Here we see the human assistant performing the repetitive, mindless task of applying thin, uniform, transparent, slightly coloured layers. This is the only work the human does, (8 times, after every 3 stages painted by the robot). The human also waits for the paint to dry.
At each stage the robot analyses images of the subjects, and takes decisions about the location, direction and length of each brush-stroke (3 different sizes of brush are used in total).
Between each of the 32 stages, the robot takes a photo of the paintings in progress. It then uses this information to decide where and how to place the next brush-strokes.
48563663
submission
lebijoutier writes:
The robot, E-david uses "visual optimisation" to create the paintings so that it "watches itself while painting and decides independently where to add new strokes." After taking a picture of what it's going to copy it then processes it through its software so it can figure out where to add shade or light according to the image.
http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/a-painting-robot-that-can-even-sign-its-own-name-on-the-picture
40041481
submission
lebijoutier writes:
from the slate article "...Tresset, for one, discovered a novel way to stay mentally healthy with the help of drugs and still pursue what was once his life’s work: He created robots that can draw portraits. Far from a mere novelty, his research is telling us more about both the creative process in humans and how we relate emotionally to machines..." "...Most of us still don’t have robots in the home, but for decades now, we’ve been waiting for machines to do our bidding. Tresset believes that it might be a good idea to imbue all personal robots with some sort of artistic skill to encourage an emotional bond—it might allow for more trust, perhaps, though you can also see how overly identifying with a machine might create some existential questions..."
In the article there is also a fascinating video of 5 of his robots sketching a single human subject...
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2012/11/tresset_robot_artist_artist_engineers_robots_to_make_art_and_save_his_own.single.html
36414049
submission
lebijoutier writes:
From wired.co.uk
A computer scientist is working with actors to engineer an algorithm that recognises and reacts to subtle social behaviours and body movements — a system that could eventually be used to create a truly interactive gaming experience.
Marco Gillies of Goldsmiths College told Wired.co.uk that he launched the project with the founding premise that "games shouldn't be designed by experts in programming, but by experts in movement". While companies like NaturalMotion use motion capture technology to create animated characters with realistic-looking movements, Gillies and his team are focusing on developing characters that recognise subtle movements and can relate to these in a natural way. The technology is aimed at improving game characters' reactions to players and to create more emotionally complex gaming experiences, but it could also have future applications in social gaming and robotics...
