R/V: Robots That Mediate Human-Human Interaction

R/V is an installation by Ryota Kuwakubo, which uses mobile robots equipped with LCD monitors, CCD cameras, microphones, and caterpillar wheels to transform participants' visual and auditory perception in a unique way.

[one of the robots used for the R/V installation]

The robots, which move around on a "playground," can be controlled by participants using four console boxes located around the "playground." Images and sound captured by a robot are sent back to the participant at the corresponding control box. At the same time, the console boxes capture images and sound of participants and send them to robots: they bocome part of the appearance of the robots. Participants can walk into the "playground" and directly interact with other robots as well.

This environment can transform our visual and auditory perception in a unique way, allowing participants to change the way they communicate with each other. Participants can not only use face-to-face communication but also "you-your robot-me" communication and "you-your robot-my robot-me" communication.

This installation was exhibited at YCAM earlier this year.

Related:
PLX -parallax of the game
Knocking machines