Honda Robot Will Conduct Detroit Symphony
By Eliot Van Buskirk
Yo Yo Ma and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will soon submit to a robotic overlord in the form of Honda’s Asimo, which will pick up a baton to conduct the orchestra.
The robot will lead the humans in a performance of “Impossible Dream” from the musical “Man of La Mancha,” which has become something of an anthem for Honda.
The irony of a Japanese automaker trotting out an advanced robot in the Motor City will likely be lost on most of the attendees, who will be students from the Detroit School for the Arts. The concert takes place at 8 p.m. May 13, with a master class for the school’s students to be held on-stage in front of area children. In addition to the concert, Honda plans to donate $1 million to the orchestra’s “Power of Dreams” educational fund.