In a bid to instill a human touch into robotics, acclaimed artist Agnieszka Pilat is set to conduct a four-month residency program at the National Gallery of Victoria's (NGV) Triennial in Melbourne, where she will train a trio of robot dogs developed by Boston Dynamics.
(Photo : WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
Polish artist Agnieszka Pilat poses with the artwork of her robot painting dogs - Basia Spot and Bunny Spot - who have become artists painting on canvases with their paws, at the launch of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Triennial 2023 in Melbourne on April 5, 2023.
Embarking on Artistic Residency Program
Named Basia, Vanya, and Bunny, these robotic dogs will undergo training to independently create acrylic ground canvases. Interesting Engineering reported that the culmination of their artistic endeavors is expected to be showcased at the NGV Triennial in Melbourne this December.
The dedicated studio for their training will be operational starting next week. Spot's versatility extends to a diverse range of tasks and difficult-to-reach locations, offering increased productivity and reduced workplace safety risks through reconfiguration.
However, concerns have risen with security agencies adopting Spot, raising apprehensions about the implications of deploying technologically advanced robots in such roles.
Not Posing Threats to Human Safety
While innovative mobile robots from companies like Boston Dynamics hold tremendous potential, The Guardian reported that they also carry the risk of misuse, akin to any emerging technology with enhanced capabilities.
There's a fear that unscrupulous individuals could exploit these robots, potentially violating civil rights or deploying them for intimidation, threats, or harm. In response to these concerns, Boston Dynamics and other robot manufacturers committed last year to not develop robots that pose threats to human safety.
Pilat endeavors to reshape the public perception of robot dogs by highlighting their creative and artistic capabilities. Notably, Pilat, an artist-in-residence at Boston Dynamics from 2020 to 2021, followed by a second residency at Space X, has been actively engaged in training robots such as Agility Robotics' humanoid Digit and Spot.
Her goal is to unlock and showcase the untapped creative potential inherent in these machines. For Pilat, the key lies in embracing the unexpected creative contributions from the robots, turning them into her creative collaborators rather than mere design tools.
In the exhibition, Pilat goes a step further by granting authorship rights to her robotic apprentices. Information panels accompanying the artworks credit both Pilat and Spot for their collaborative paintings.
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Basia, one of the Spot robot dogs, is set to paint approximately one canvas every three days, totaling 36 canvases. These artworks will collectively form a symbolic manifesto, utilizing a pictorial language comprising 16 symbols-simple compositions of squares, lines, and circles.
In collaboration with an engineer and her assistant, Pilat has employed a combination of artificial intelligence, software, and machine learning to shape the distinct "personalities" of the robots for this artistic endeavor.
Within this project, each robot exhibits unique traits. Bunny, programmed as a show-off, will frequently wander to a designated window for selfie poses. Basia, characterized as "the serious one," remains fully engrossed in her painting tasks.
Vanya, identified as the "mother of the group," adopts a vigilant posture, pacing around the space while observing. This amalgamation of creativity and technology aims to explore the expressive potential of robots in the realm of art.
Related Article: Boston Dynamics Robot Dogs Undergoes Training to Paint for National Gallery of Victoria
