TED Talk Tuesday #155 – A human robot dance duet

Watching TED Talks is a popular pastime at CN&CO. We visit TED.com regularly to clear our heads, have a laugh or get inspired. TED Talks open our minds, spark new ways of thinking and can lead to some very interesting conversations. Each week we pick a favourite and publish it on a Tuesday, because we like how “TED Talk Tuesday” sounds. It’s also a way that the CN&CO team play their part on spreading ideas and helping to make the world a better place. This week’s talk is posted by Colin. Here’s why he chose it:

Okay, so this week’s heading and intro are deceiving because today’s TED Talk Tuesday post isn’t a talk at all, but a dance. It’s a haunting contemporary piece that examines the relationships between the dancer, Huang Yi, and his robot KUKA. (Just to be clear, we’re not talking about a traffic light, but an actual robot in the true sense of the word.)

Huang programmed the robot himself to perform all the dance moves, which are surprisingly tender (all things considered). The piece makes me think of a few things:

1. The robots are coming. Google “robot” and you’ll see what I mean. Also, the book I’m currently reading, Machines Like Me, by Ian McEwan, conjures up all sorts of fantastical thoughts about the power of robotics and what a future will look like with these amazing (or not) machines in it
2. Creativity abounds across every facet of human life. It’s not just about drawing or sculpting – or writing, acting, dancing… it’s about everything. Being creative is what sets us apart as a species. I don’t think a robot will ever be creative enough to consider choreographing a dance piece – but KUKA does a pretty good job of doing as s/he is told. It’s effective and rather touching.

So take five minutes and watch this TED Dance. Hopefully it’ll get you thinking…

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