Posts tagged 2012
Coming to CU: High-tech hallucinogenic "Swarm Wall"
Jun 4th
A monthlong summer exhibit at the University of Colorado Boulder Art Museum will feature a dynamic new media composition based on innovative robotics technology.
Called “Swarm Wall,” the large-scale interactive piece displays changing fields of color, light and sound that are driven by a distributed form of artificial intelligence.
As many as 70 intelligent “nodes” behind the piece create a swarming effect when they detect movement and communicate it with one another. The nodes exhibit swarm behavior because each performs actions solely based on its own plan and the actions of its immediate neighbors.
The 42-by-12-foot installation is the first product from a new art and technology research group on campus. The group was launched by faculty members Michael Theodore of the College of Music, who received a $44,000 grant from CU’s Innovative Seed Grant Program last year to support the collaboration, and Nikolaus Correll of the computer science department.
Also involved in the Swarm Wall is Ken Sugawara, a visiting computer science professor from Tohuku Gakuin University in Japan who is an expert in animal flocking behavior, the inspiration behind the patterns the wall displays.
The seed grant, which Correll and Theodore say already has helped them attract additional funding, was the first step toward establishing an active lab where students, faculty and professional researchers from various disciplines collaborate on cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence.
“We’re now calling it the ‘if’ lab because we want to see what happens if artists put engineers in front of tough problems,” said Correll, who is providing space for the growing group within his own robotics laboratory in the Engineering Center at CU-Boulder.
“We want to assemble some basic, inexpensive tools that students can use to explore and to develop new applications of robotics,” Correll said.
Scattered around the lab last week were a collection of small custom circuit boards, electronic panels, items resembling ping pong balls and various other components that are being used to assemble robotic devices.
An assembly of circuit boards connected with bright orange cables also was mounted on a partition in the lab in preparation for the installation of Swarm Wall. Small mechanical arms or flippers waved back and forth as the “brains” behind the Swarm Wall were tested. Sometimes the movement was synchronized, while other times a ripple effect would occur in response to some stimuli.
“Artistic exploration can help computer scientists and engineers to ask questions they wouldn’t have otherwise asked,” said Theodore, who also serves as director of the ATLAS Center for Media, Arts and Performance.
“The difference between arts and science is very diffuse; both want to discover new things,” Theodore said. “The cool thing about art is that we can explore systems that are not of interest to classical funding agencies, but might be so after maturing in a lab like the ‘if’ lab.”
Swarm Wall is one of four pieces in “Michael Theodore: Field Theory,” an exhibition of kinetic sculpture, sound, lighting and works on paper, running June 15 through July 14 at the CU Art Museum. The exhibition is free and open to the public. An opening reception will be held on June 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. For additional information, visitors may call the CU Art Museum at 303-492-8300 or go to http://cuartmuseum.colorado.edu.
22 Boom – 18th Annual Best in Boulder 2012 – Episode 55
May 27th
Congrats Boulder! It’s Boulder Channel 1’s 2012 Best IN Boulder TV playlist featuring our chosen winners in the Best Retail and Best Restaurants categories. Here are the winners To see them individually just scroll down or search for your favorites. Featured in this show are this years winners: Art Cleaners, The Original Pancakes House of Boulder, Great Harvest Bread Co., Top Hat Supply, New Balance, Subway, Boulder Army Store, Massage Envy, TTS Transmission Technology Services, Eldorado Springs Water, Perry’s Shoe Shop, Verlo Mattress Factory, Jalino’s Pizza, Swiss Chalet Watch & Clock Shop, Khow Thai Cafe, Marie’s Cafe, and the Village Coffee Shop.
Videos in this Episode
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22 Boom Intro -
Art Cleaners in Basemar Shopping Center -
The Original Pancake House of Boulder -
Baking with Scott – Morning Treats and Blueberry Granola Bread -
Top Hat Supply -
New Balance Minimus Collection 2012 -
Subway Boulder – UMC at the C.U. Campus -
Boulder Army Store Best of Outdoor Stores -
Massage Envy Spa Treatment in Boulder -
Great Harvest Bread Co. Boulder -
Art Cleaners Lafayette -
Transmission Technology Services -
Original Pancake House of Boulder – Fresh Fruits -
Eldorado Natural Spring Water -
Perry’s Shoe Shop – Grand Opening -
Verlo Mattress Factory -
Baking with Scott – Red, White and Blue Bread -
Jalino’s Pizza Boulder -
Subway Boulder at Base-Mar and UMC – Best of Boulder -
Original Pancake House of Boulder – Crepes -
Swiss Chalet – Ball Watches -
Khow Thai Cafe -
TTS Auto Tips – More Summer Tips -
Marie’s Cafe -
Village Coffee Shop -
Baking with Scott – Great Granola -
Original Pancake House of Boulder – Smaller Appetites -
Swiss Chalet – Rolex Watches -
Outro
22 Boom – 2011 Denver Auto Show and More – Episode 54
Mar 18th
We go to the 2011 Denver Auto Shows to check out all new cars, trucks, SUV’s, Crossovers, Vans and more this year. Plus Doug Duncan of TTS in Boulder gives us his Auto Tips for Spring and Summer and Jann host a car review of the Ford Thunderbird, then he goes to the Larimer County Goodguys Car Show, and the Forney Museum of Transportation. Lots of cars and fun in this one.
Videos in this Episode
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22 Boom Intro -
Denver Auto Show 2011 Introduction -
2012 Ford Focus Hatchback -
2012 Ford Fiesta and C-MAX -
2012 Kia Rio – Fisher Kia – Colorado Kia Dealer -
2012 Chevy Corvette and Camaro -
2012 Chevy Sonic -
2012 Chevy Volt -
2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sports Wagon -
2012 Honda Civic Review -
2012 Toyota Prius Plugin Hybrid -
Nissan Leaf -
2012 Fiat 500 -
2012 Acura TL -
Party Rock Anthem-Kia Soul Hamster Commercial -
Kia Soul Wagon -
Kia Forte Koup Commercial -
Kia Forte Koup -
2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Commercial -
2011 Honda CR-Z -
2011 Camp Jeep -
Fancy Cars at the 2011 Denver Auto Show -
Denver Auto Show 2011 Preview -
TTS Auto Tips – Spring and Summer Tips -
Auto Review – 2003 Ford Thunderbird -
Good Guys Car Show – Larimer County 2009 -
Forney Museum of Transportation -
TTS Auto Tips – More Summer Tips -
Outro