Cyborg Soloists is a 4-year UKRI-funded Future Leaders Fellowship based at Royal Holloway, University of London that explores interdisciplinary interactions between music, the other arts, and new digital technologies.
Within this research hub, dozens of composers and performers are working together with technology researchers and 12 industry partners to develop artistic and technological innovations including new types of interaction between musicians and live computer-generated video, AI interactive co-performers, virtual reality performances, new digital instruments, the interactive use of mobile phones in performance, and expanding the bodies of musicians with robotics, motion-sensors and brain-scanning biosensors. Research outputs will include new works that are toured internationally to major festivals and leading venues, journal articles, conference papers, an edited book, performance and documentary films, software patches, exhibitions, and a festival and conference at Royal Holloway.
Workstreams
Extending the Body, Remaking the Old, Video-Body Interactions, Hyperinstruments, Music and Virtual Reality, AI interactions, Music and the Internet/Mobiles, Hybrid installation and staged works.
Technology Industry Partners
Air Sticks: Startup based on games-controller research developing motion sensor activated drumsticks for virtual percussion playing.
ANT Neuro: Global leader in EEG and EMG brain-scanning devices.
Austella: Virtual Reality and Video Game developers, specialising in immersive visuals – also a partner with StoryFutures.
Gestrument: Developer of gesture-musical control interfaces for use with motion capture.
Holonic Systems: Creator of apps and integrations to map signals from body movement, position and biosensors to software and hardware over OSC or MIDI.
Mi Mu: Developer of sensor-gloves with multiple motion sensors.
Mogees: Creators of Hypersurfaces, which uses machine-learning to turn any surface (such as windows or tables) into a new instrument.
Plux: Global leader in biosignal sensors for medical and artistic use.
ROLI: Major UK-based company developing touch-sensitive keyboards and surface controllers.
Sense/Stage: Developer of 3D motion sensors.
Soundbrenner: Creator of wearable haptic metronomes that can be programmed and networked.
TouchKeys: Creator of a range of new hyperinstruments, including surface sensors which can be attached to any existing piano/keyboard.
Vochlea: Developer of software to turn the voice into a real-time MIDI controller.
Contact
Director and Principal Investigator
Dr Zubin Kanga: zubin.kanga@rhul.ac.uk
Click here to visit Zubin's research profile
For more information about the Cyborg Soloists project, visit https://cyborgsoloists.com
