Senior mechanical engineering major Brian Geuther presented a technical paper at the IEEE – Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) International Conference on Humanoid Robotics. The paper that he contributed to the conference was entitled A Study on Musical Conducting Robots and Their Users. This paper was the result of a pilot study geared to identify what information must be portrayed between the conductor and orchestra as well as how a robot can transmit that information. The solution presented involved a humanoid robot that could conduct a beat pattern, vary the size of the pattern, and point to sections for cueing. This system was tested with the TCNJ Orchestra. Feedback from the orchestra members provided insight to improvements as well as insight into the effectiveness and completeness to the design of a robotic conductor.
This project’s research was conducted within the “Conducting Robots ” special topics course. The course is taught by Dr. Yunfeng Wang (Engineering), Dr. Andrea Salgian (Computer Science), Dr. Teresa Nakra (Music), and Professor Chris Ault (Interactive Multimedia). The members of Brian’s group for that course included Brian Geuther (Engineering), recent graduate Autumn Breese (Computer Science), Allison Altamura (Music), and Matthew DiMatteo (IMM). Brian’s role in the project was the design of the robot and motor controlling algorithms. Autumn interpreted the midi file so that Brian could read and transform the file into movements. After concluding their research Dr. Wang, Brian and Autumn wrote a paper for the conference.
At the conference Brian gave a “teaser trailer” introduction to the paper presentation as well as an interactive poster presentation. Other people interested in the ideas identified within the introduction given were able to ask questions and get a better picture of the research that was conducted.
For Brian the most important part of the conference was the ability to interact with other people within the field of robotic research. He was able to talk with various graduate students, professors, and researchers. The conference broadened his ideas of how research is conducted as well as where the research is occurring, with respect to prospective graduate schools.After he graduates, Brian plans to continue his education in graduate school pursuing mechanical engineering with a designated interest in the robotics concentrations offered.
Brian also said: “I would definitely recommend other students to attempt and write conference papers as well as attend conferences. The experience is very valuable for those who may be going into fields of research. You get to see firsthand how the process of academic research and publication is done under the guidance of a professor. Also, having published work gives both my resume and applications to graduate school a slight advantage over those who do not.”
Learn more:
- IEEE – Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) International Conference on Humanoid Robotics
- A Study on Musical Conducting Robots and Their Users
- Conducting Robots
- Midi files