Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Wearable Third Arm Gives Drummers Extra Robotic Rhythm (gizmag.com)

Posted by yaelk on from the if-you-need-an-extra-arm dept.

Zothecula writes: Thumping out as many drum beats in 60 seconds may get you a podium spot at the annual World's Fastest Drummer competition, but we'll take the full kit virtuoso playing of Cozy Powell, Philthy Animal Taylor or Mitch Mitchell any day of the week. When trying to emulate the fastest or the greatest on your bedroom bin-bashers, though, you'd be forgiven for wishing you had a third arm. Georgia Tech Professor Gil Weinberg and his research team may have the answer to your prayers. They've developed a drumstick-wielding wearable robotic limb that's able to respond to both the music being played and the movements of the player.

6 of 77 comments (clear)

  1. Rick Allen by JonahsDad · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Or second arm in the case of Rick Allen

  2. nice by hypergreatthing · · Score: 2

    A robotic third arm?
    When can i get a robotic third leg?

  3. Which department? by sjbe · · Score: 2

    They've developed a drumstick-wielding wearable robotic limb that's able to respond to both the music being played and the movements of the player.

    Shouldn't this be from the solving-problems-that-aren't-problems-department?

  4. Re:I, for one... by gstoddart · · Score: 2

    The robotic device is attached to a musician's shoulder and is reported capable of determining the layout of kit components and the direction and proximity of the human arms, thanks to built-in accelerometers, and change playing location accordingly. If the human arm moves to play a hit-hat, for example, the robot arm adjusts to play the ride cymbal, when the player paradiddles on the snare, the attachment moves to the tom at the side.

    So, I don't know about paradiddling or the like, bu tit sounds like it's got a little more built in smarts.

    It sounds like it's doing some of its own stuff without the user.

    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  5. The one-armed drummer from 1964 by destinyland · · Score: 2

    In the 1960s there was a garage band called The Barbarians. Their drummer only had one hand, but he held the drumsticks on the other side using a two-finger hook. One of the most inspiring things I've ever seen in my life is the video of an auditorium of teenagers screaming enthusiastically when he launched into his drum solo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

  6. Re:I, for one... by Dragonslicer · · Score: 2

    Because without legs, it can't push the timpani over to the auditorium.