Archi/e Machina - A Robotic and Lifelike Structure

 Two researchers from Tokyo University have developed a robotic architectural structure that responds to surrounding sounds and movements. The Archi/e Machina is based on a tensegrity structure using 21 struts and 84 cables. Twelve of the cables are replaced with pneumatic artificial muscles.

 Below is a video of the lifelike structure developed by Ryuma Niiyama of the Intelligent Systems and Informatics Lab  and Yosuke Ushigome of the Hirose Tanikawa Lab. They exhibited the structure at Haneda Airport in Tokyo where people were able to interact with it.  

 It would be really cool to see a number of these structures interact with each other to create different shapes and perhaps in the future do something useful such as automatically provide shade for the public in the hottest times of the day or shelter when it starts to rain.  

 By the way, you may already be familiar with earlier works by Niiyama-san - who developed the artificial muscles for this project. His goal is to "develop robots that are dynamic and flexible like animals" and one such robot is Mowgli, the jumping robot. Just to refreshen your memory, here is a video of Mowgli.