A robot performs in the show. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

In a groundbreaking fusion of technology and artistry, The City of Big Dumb Objects, an innovative robot drama set in the future, recently made its debut at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

As a collaborative project between the Shanghai Theatre Academy and Shanghai Tech University, the drama unfolds in a futuristic setting where humans achieve immortality through brain-machine interfaces and coexist with robots in the enigmatic "City of Big Dumb Objects". The protagonist, A Tai, embarks on a quest in this city to uncover lost memories of his mother and the meaning of life. The production features a mix of human actors and robot performers.

The stage, set at the XR Dome Theater of the academy's Digital Performing Arts Integration and Innovation Department, features a panoramic projection space created through the utilization of 40 projectors. This space brings audiences an immersive experience like never before. Through a process of integrating actor-voice input, programming, coding, and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired robots deliver lines with individualized tones, pitch and speed.

The stage design, featuring a non-frame circular environment, allows audience members to freely move around the space to seek new viewing angles.

Fang Jun, an official from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, emphasized that the project does not sacrifice the fundamental elements of drama despite being labeled a robot drama. It stands as a compelling narrative where robots serve as characters.

Dai Wei, the original story creator and director of the production, highlighted Shanghai's prominence in the domestic robotics industry. This project showcases the city’s robust research and development capabilities. He also mentioned that the participation of robots in art performances undoubtedly provides diversified application scenarios for the industry, which is sure to lead to great growth potential.

Dai said that the production serves as a realistic preview of future human-robot coexistence rather than simply showcasing robots in acting roles. He expressed plans to delve deeper into this theme in future iterations, and that he will introduce new types of robots to further expand the narrative and worldview of human-machine symbiosis.

The drama unveiled at the Yangtze River Delta International Cultural Industry Expo in November 2023, completed previews in early 2024 and will be ongoing in Shanghai until June 2. It is set to potentially feature at this year's World Artificial Intelligence Conference scheduled on Sept 25-27.

Source: Shanghai Observer