Robot design, sketch by Ana Rajcevic.
We’ve been working closely with Bristol Robotics Lab and the artist Ana Rajcevic to develop bio-inspired robots for our new production Prehension Blooms, which is set to premiere this autumn. Our robots have been created using characteristics such as softness, biodegradability and energy self-sustainability informed by collaborator Hemma Philamore’s research in environmental robots, resulting in a novel and innovative approach to their creation and impact on the environment. The general robot design ideas are coming from social insects cooperative collective behaviours. The robots will have telsons constructed of many different, modular parts, which can all move both in unison and separately. The robots will be reactive to touch, light, and proximity: changing movement, and shape depending on their surroundings. Each robot will also have its own housing / cage. These sensory cages from which the robots will emerge have been inspired by social birds nests and fungus. Workshops, talks and test events featuring the robots will be announced over the next few months, watch this space!