Audi Robots in Trafalgar Square

Since we're pretty sure you jumped for joy when reading the words “Audi” and “robots” in the same sentence, here's something that might tamper you a bit: we're not talking about exciting robots (humanoid robots, robots from Transformers and such), but about boring, industrial machines.

Eight such robots will be on display during this year`s London Design Festival in the Trafalgar Square Installation, in a show titled Outrace. The robots have been loaned by Audi to Clemens Weisshaar and Reed Kram, the designers of the Installation. What's interesting is that all those interested can send large scale three dimensional light messages through the installation by registering at the following link.

The mechanical arms donated by Audi are fitted with LED heads inspired by the Audi R15 TDI race car. When a user draws a message, the heads of the robots trace the words and record it through a system of high definition, long-exposure cameras. After encoding the spectacle as a video, it is relayed back via social media.

“Weisshaar and Kram allow visitors a glimpse into Audi’s 21st century automotive manufacturing processes by relocating technology from its everyday context behind factory walls to London’s most public square,” the organizers of the event say.

“Within our midst the robots become mighty ambassadors from a foreign land that produce the goods we use and the cars we drive.“

The Outrace display and the robots acting on the messages posted by users will be available between September 16 and 23, as long as the London Design Festival in Trafalgar Square lasts.