Robots to Roam Tate Britain

by Startacus Admin

Very soon anybody, anywhere will be able to explore the galleries and art works of Tate Britain in the dead of night with the use of remote controlled robots…my what a time to be alive!

In a Terminator meets The Da Vinci Code style move, design studio “The Workers” entered the proposal into the first ever IK Prize which aims to reward and encourage creative talent in the digital industry. Whilst working on a different project for another gallery during an overnight period, the team were struck by the unique experience of viewing the space in the dark, without other visitors. Thus the idea for the the ‘After Dark’ project was born… or assembled… or  you know what we mean!

The team have just been awarded the £70K prize and have until the end of the summer to get the project up and roaming. The award (which has just this year been launched by Tate Britain) is designed to fund a digitally innovative project that enhances public enjoyment of art. It’s the first year of many as the Prize is going to become an annual feature of the Museum’s calendar as it attempts to constantly innovate the way in which the public experiences the pieces on display.  

Whilst ‘The Workers’ are keeping many of the specifics of their ambitious plan under their hard-hats for the time being, we do know a few tidbits about how the project will work.  They plan to have 4 custom-built roaming robots, equipped with their very own lights and HD cameras who will be set loose amongst the galleries in the dead of night. It’slike something from a HG Wells novel...

Via a public website people will be able to take control of the robots and go for a little expedition around the gallery, seeing whatever their robot sees through a live camera feed - you might have to be patient though because there will be a queuing system in place to make sure that everyone can have a go at the controls.

If you liked this bit of arty innovation then take a gander at some of these: 

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• #art
• #innovation
• #after dark project
• #tate britain
• #culture

Published on: 13th February 2014