The Robotics Laboratory of the Faculty of Computer Science at UNamur is interested in developing mechanisms that allow robots to autonomously adapt to complex and varied social and physical environments. The project, called "Synthetic Choirs", started in early 2021, during the pandemic.  It is the result of a collaboration between the UNamur naXys Institute,  the TRAKK, Belgian artists from the VOID Collective and the company 3DTECHLAB. This project aims to use different design methods based on a set of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques.

This technically complex project consists of designing and building about fifteen autonomous robots that move randomly in a closed space. Together they will organize themselves, group together, to generate a sound composition ... a singing choir. Everything was created at the UNamur Faculty of Computer Science, from design to assembly.  Prototypes were made there and tested extensively. 

Lend me your head

Programming is a complex discipline. Each robot has its own algorithm, its brain, so to speak. It reacts to different basic rules: "Go straight ahead"; "If you find a wall, go backwards"; "If you meet another robot, stop and make a sound"; etc. It also has its own control system that is programmed to cooperate with the other robots. 

For scenography reasons, the idea of an anthropomorphic head was chosen because its shape guarantees (and this is essential) an optimal sound quality.  The head will be 3D printed and placed on a frame that will house the batteries, electronic and mechanical parts.  Customised by the artists of the VOID collective, they will give an original aspect to the whole.

The assembly requires a lot of handling and precision: carcass, wheels, battery, wires, sensors, circuits... The company 3DTECHLAB was asked to produce the heads.  While waiting for the heads to be completed and the choir voices to be recorded, a few full-scale tests was organised, not only with the various partners in the project but also during visits by secondary school students during the Printemps des sciences 2023.  This is an excellent way of raising awareness among young people of the different facets of science and technology.

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Lend me your voice

Meetings between the artists of the VOID collective and the choristers of the Centre for Vocal Art and Ancient Music (CAV&MA) were organized.  Quite quickly, several ideas were exchanged.  But what harmony to choose?  What are the right notes?  And above all, how long should they be? 

Informal tests were carried out before going into the studio to record.  The originality of this project lies in the fact that pre-recorded voices will be transferred to a microcard and integrated into each robot.  Simple notes which, thanks to the interactions, will create harmonies.

It is a composition that will evolve continuously and, in theory, will never be repeated, since it will depend on the random movement of the robots in space. 

The robots are now operational: they move, stop, and recognise each other.  They exchange notes, a real choir!

Teaching, raising awareness, research

When these robots are not used for exhibitions, they will be used by the naXys institute, in collaboration with the Faculty of Computer Science, for teaching, awareness-raising and, above all, research activities. 

In the field of artificial intelligence and networked robotics, research is constantly evolving.  It already has, and will increasingly have, direct applications in our daily lives.

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