Tsinghua University's special traditional Chinese music band consisting of three robots. (Screenshot photo/Tsinghua University)
Tsinghua University has designed and produced a special traditional Chinese music band consisting of three robots, the first of its kind in the country.
The three robots play different Chinese musical instruments: the bamboo flute, konghou, an ancient plucked stringed instrument similar to a harp, as well as the drums, The Beijing News reported on Saturday.
A report in Beijing Daily said that the robot band gave a performance on Saturday to celebrate the 108th anniversary of the university.
Mi Haipeng, associate professor of the Academy Arts and Design at Tsinghua University, told The Beijing News that the drum and flute robots have the advantage in playing musical instruments compared with human musicians.
The drum robot has four arms and can play drums of four different pitches at the same time, more than a human is capable of.
The flute robot does not need to take a breath during the performance, so it can play long notes continuously. However, the flute robot also lacks playing skills and cannot express the flavor of the traditional music.
The robot band will develop its own exclusive musical style and produce albums in the future, Mi noted.