The Dresden Symphony celebrated its 25th anniversary with an unprecedented spectacle: a three-armed robot called MAiRA Pro S , developed by Neura Robotics , conducted the orchestra in a historic performance. This event, known as the Robot Symphony, included a second part where MAiRA took the podium, demonstrating how technology can collaborate with classical music.
Three-armed robot challenges complex musical rhythms
MAiRA was trained for two years by Markus Rindt , the orchestra’s artistic director, to learn how to move his three batons, which in this case were lightsabers. Thanks to his versatility, with a reach of 1,100 mm and a load capacity of 18 kg , he was able to conduct Wieland Reissmann’s complex piece ” kreuzknoten “ , a work that challenges human conductors with its overlapping rhythms.
MAiRA robot conducting the Dresden Symphony. Source: DW Classical Music
MAiRA surprised with its precision and also with the ability of its augmented intelligence to adapt to cross-rhythms . Although the robot shined on stage, the orchestra clarified that this advance is not intended to replace human conductors , but to explore new forms of artistic expression. This collaboration between machines and humans could mark the future of music.
This was not the first case of a robotic conductor in music. Previous concerts in Pisa with Andrea Bocelli and in South Korea also saw robots on the podium, but MAiRA stands out for its advanced technology, including object recognition and voice commands , making it one of a kind.
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Source and photos: Dresdner Sinfoniker