WATCH: Danielle George talks about the Robot Orchestra
16 Mar 2016
One person’s junk can be someone else’s Robot Orchestra – Manchester's Professor Danielle George will reveal how discarded technology and everyday items from around the home can be put to new and exciting uses
Engineering pioneer Danielle – who is currently building a huge Robot Orchestra from donated machinery and technology – will be providing a sneak preview of a prototype at The Big Bang Fair, the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people in the UK staged at the NEC.
Danielle, who will be assisted on stage by a young STEM ambassador from Manchester, will be hosting her new interactive show on Thursday, 17 March, in front of a live audience.
The Manchester team will create a musical instrument using cardboard, aluminium foil and electronic components such as those found in devices from around the home, including laptops, MaKey MaKey invention kits and the new BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized codeable computer.
“I want to show how everyone can discover the secret engineer inside themselves - and build an amazing machine from their imagination,” explained Danielle.
“Our stage show will demonstrate the principles behind the Robot Orchestra which we are currently building and will premiere in Manchester later this summer to celebrate our European City of Science status.
“Our demo promises to be fun, noisy and interactive – so unleash your inner engineer and join in… because the robots are coming!”
As well as Danielle, the University will have a strong representation at the Big Bang Fair – which attracts more than 70,000 visitors over four days.
In tribute to the ground-breaking work of Manchester pioneer Alan Turning, visitors will have the chance to crack secret codes as part of the University’s maths exhibition.
The University is also sponsoring an energy-themed category in the National Science + Engineering Competition (the ‘Global Challenges, Manchester Solutions: Energy Prize’). Ten shortlisted projects from schools across the UK will be judged on Wednesday, 16 March, and the final prize awarded the following day.
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