Honda’s ASIMO robot recently conducted the Detroit Symphony in a performance of “The Impossible Dream”.
ASIMO talked and conducted the orchestra making it look easy. Needless to say, the robot conductor and human orchestra rocked the concert hall. After the performance, ASIMO conversed with Detroit Symphony Conductor Thomas Wilkins.
“The Impossible Dream” — the version sung by Andy Williams — was featured in a Honda commerical in 2005. It symbolically chronicled the life of founder Soichiro Honda and showed off the company’s evolution. It’s a wonderful song and one of my favorite commericals.
“The Impossible Dream” was originally written for the Man of La Mancha, a 1965 musical about Don Quixote.
So, add ‘conducting an orchestra’ to the list of things ASIMO can do; alongside with climbing stairs, running, balancing on one foot, playing soccer, dancing, waiting tables, working as a receptionist, working as a crossing guard, ringing the opening bell on Wall Street, and more.
Watch ASIMO conduct (via CNN)
By reallyjapan on May 15, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Gambatte Asimo!
By Todd on May 16, 2008 at 9:28 pm
That is really cool. I was actually going to mention this to you before I saw you had it on posted.
By Shay on May 16, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I’m glad we can agree :)