Industrial robot performs cello piece composed for IVA by Jacob Mühlrad
Listen and watch as an industrial robot performs a cello piece specially composed for IVA by the world-renowned composer Jacob Mühlrad, in a film recording from the performance at IVA’s Annual Meeting in October. Also, meet the robotics researcher and composer Fredrik Gran, who programmed the cello-playing robot.
At the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences' (IVA) Annual Meeting on October 25, 2024, a unique world premiere was held in Stockholm City Hall. Together with the Stockholm Concert Orchestra, a cello-playing robot performed the piece "Preludium Means and Veer(bot)," specially composed for IVA by the Swedish composer Jacob Mühlrad.
Participating members of the Stockholm Concert Orchestra: Karin Eriksson (Violin 1), Victor Mobäck (Violin 2), Sara Munters (Viola), and Christina Wirdegren (Cello).
In the video, Jacob Mühlrad also discusses the work behind the performance and shares his views on the intersection of composition and engineering.
Behind the robot is the programmer and composer Fredrik Gran, who has spent several years modifying industrial robots to master the complex task of playing the cello. Hear him talk about the technical challenges he has managed to overcome along the way.
