As a child, Huang Yi longed for a robot companion. As an adult, he created a robot to dance with: KUKA.

Why you should listen

Taiwanese dancer, choreographer, inventor, and videographer Huang Yi’s pioneering work is steeped in his fascination with the partnership between humans and robots. He interweaves continuous movement with mechanical and multimedia elements to create a form of dance which corresponds with the flow of data, effectively making the performer a dancing instrument. Named by Dance Magazine as one of the “25 to Watch,” Huang is one of Asia’s most prolific choreographers.

HUANG YI & KUKA is a poetic work that intertwines modern dance and visual arts with the realm of robotics, revealing humanity through a series of vignettes between live dancers and KUKA, a robot conceptualized and programmed by Huang. "Dancing face to face with a robot is like looking at my own face in a mirror ... I think I have found the key to spin human emotions into robots," Huang asserts.

HUANG YI & KUKA is an original production of Huang Yi Studio +, developed at 3LD Art & Technology Center, in association with Sozo Artists. Commissioned by Quanta Arts Foundation.

What others say

“... more than just an amusing exercise in blending dance and technology.” — The New York Times

Huang Yi’s TED talk

More news and ideas from Huang Yi

Live from TED2017

One move ahead: The talks of Session 1 of TED2017

April 25, 2017

TED2017 begins with a manifesto: “We will not sleepwalk into a future of dread. Instead we will pursue: courage, deep human connection, imagination, thrilling possibility, understanding. The Future You is yet to be written. Let’s write it together.” In a comprehensive opening session — hosted by TED’s Head Curator, Chris Anderson, and streamed live to 800 […]

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