Senster
Encyclopedia
The Senster
was a work of robotic art
created by Edward Ihnatowicz
. It was commissioned by Philips
to be exhibited in the Evoluon
, in Eindhoven, the Netherlands
and was on display from 1970 to 1974, when it was dismantled.
It was the first work of robotic sculpture to be controlled by a digital computer
.
It was about 8 feet (2.5m) high "at the shoulder" and about 15 feet (4 m) long, constructed of welded steel tubing and actuated by hydraulic rams. There were four microphones and two Doppler radar
sensors mounted on its "head", which were used to sense the sound and movement of the people around it. A computer system (Philips P9201 - a clone of the more common Honeywell 416) controlled the robot and implemented a behavioural system so that the Senster was attracted to sound and low level movement, but repelled by loud sounds and violent movements. The complicated acoustics of the hall and the completely unpredictable behaviour of the public made the Senster's movements seem a lot more sophisticated than the software would suggest.
was a work of robotic art
Robotic art
Robotic art is a broad term that encompasses a variety of sub-types of art, all of which employ some form of robotic or automated technology.Robotic installation art unifies Installation art and robotic technologies insofar as the works and installations often employ computers, sensors, actuators...
created by Edward Ihnatowicz
Edward Ihnatowicz
Edward Ihnatowicz was a cybernetic sculptor active in the late 1960s and early 1970s.His sculptures explored the interaction between his robotic works and the audience.....
. It was commissioned by Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
to be exhibited in the Evoluon
Evoluon
The Evoluon is a conference centre and former science museum erected by the electronics and electrical company Philips in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, in 1966. Since its construction, it has become a landmark and a symbol for the city....
, in Eindhoven, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and was on display from 1970 to 1974, when it was dismantled.
It was the first work of robotic sculpture to be controlled by a digital computer
.
It was about 8 feet (2.5m) high "at the shoulder" and about 15 feet (4 m) long, constructed of welded steel tubing and actuated by hydraulic rams. There were four microphones and two Doppler radar
Doppler radar
A Doppler radar is a specialized radar that makes use of the Doppler effect to produce velocity data about objects at a distance. It does this by beaming a microwave signal towards a desired target and listening for its reflection, then analyzing how the frequency of the returned signal has been...
sensors mounted on its "head", which were used to sense the sound and movement of the people around it. A computer system (Philips P9201 - a clone of the more common Honeywell 416) controlled the robot and implemented a behavioural system so that the Senster was attracted to sound and low level movement, but repelled by loud sounds and violent movements. The complicated acoustics of the hall and the completely unpredictable behaviour of the public made the Senster's movements seem a lot more sophisticated than the software would suggest.