The project aims to create comic strips through collaboration among humans, artificial intelligence (AI), and robots. Humanoid robots, AI technology, and visitor participation are utilized to craft a visual narrative by combining communication, images, and text, with both humans and robots contributing to the creative process.

During the interaction process, participants first write a text to start a dialogue with the robot EVO. They then have the opportunity to design visual elements for their comic strip and receive the robot's response to their text. This occurs during a direct interaction with the humanoid robot EVO (a NAO-type robot), which responds with sound. Afterwards, a photograph is taken and algorithms convert it into an illustration for the comic strip. The final comic strip illustration is printed and given to the participant as a keepsake.

VARVARA GULJAJEVA & MAR CANET
ŽAN RAJŠEK
MAŠA JAZBEC
PRODUCTION: RUK - DDT

Project ChatGPT Robot TEO represents a milestone in human-machine interaction. It combines advanced robotic technology with the capabilities of artificial intelligence, particularly the ChatGPT language model, to create a robot capable of real-time communication with users and answering their questions.

Robot TEO, using the ChatGPT language model, can process and respond to a wide range of queries, from simple inquiries to complex topics, paving the way for new methods of interaction and learning.

The ChatGPT Robot TEO project brings the practicality of artificial intelligence into our daily lives, opening up new opportunities for education, research, and personal growth. Visit Tehno Park Celje and experience what it’s like to communicate with an AI that is always ready for a conversation.

TEHNO PARK CELJE

In a world where technology blurs the boundaries between the present and the future, robotic plotters have taken on an unusual role: they have become messengers from the future. In a special project, these sophisticated machines are writing a letter from the future, addressed to us, the inhabitants of the present. This letter, meticulously penned with the precise and unwavering movements of robotic arms, reveals an insight into the world that awaits us.

MAŠA JAZBEC
ALEKSANDER KLEMENČIČ

The Deus Machina Theater Project represents an innovative fusion of technology and art through the development of an animatronic marionette named Robotnica, which comes to life under the skilled guidance of the MotoMini industrial robot arm by Yaskawa. This unique performance transcends traditional boundaries of puppetry and robotics, offering audiences a completely new experience where technology and creativity intertwine in a harmonious whole.

Robotnica, with her precisely executed and emotionally responsive movements enabled by the MotoMini robot arm, brings distinct character and life to the stage. MotoMini, known for its compactness, agility, and precision, is ideal for such applications, providing exceptional dynamic and expressive manipulation of the puppet, creating the illusion of real life for the audience.

The Deus Machina Theater Project is not just a technological achievement but also a critical reflection on the relationship between human and machine, creator and creation. Through the interaction between Robotnica and her robotic arm operator, the project explores the boundaries of artistic expression while raising important questions about the future of technology, automation, and their impact on art and society as a whole.

With its innovative performance, Deus Machina Theater sets new milestones in the world of puppetry and represents an inspiring example of how technological advancement can enrich and transform artistic expression.

Association Trbovlje New Media City

"EERIE ME" is a collection of interactive sculptures/robots that explores the relationship between the artwork and its creator. These sculptures combine human and non-human characteristics, creating beings that transcend conventional categories.

The artist plays with the idea of reworking toys to give them a more human or less human appearance while also endowing them with personality traits. These beings invite the audience into a mysterious world that is difficult to understand. Although the sculptures themselves do not possess intelligence, they "come to life" through interaction with the audience.

The project comments on the future of technology and humanity's eternal fascination with youth and immortality, a theme present in world mythologies and historical quests for the elixir of life. Today, it seems that technology offers a new form of immortality, as there is the possibility that in the future, we might be able to preserve our consciousness and transfer it to a new "body."

With these toys, the artist attempts to capture a part of herself, her history, and her memories. The toy becomes more than just a plaything; it transforms into a totem that carries the artist's memories and challenges traditional views of toys. In this way, "EERIE ME" creates a legacy of memories for the future, encapsulated in forms drawn from the artist's personal history.

BARBARA JAZBEC

FESTO, with its branch in Trzin, is a recognized global leader in the field of automation, specializing in the development and production of pneumatic and electric automation technologies for industrial and process applications. With a broad range of innovative solutions, including robotic grippers and complex automation systems, FESTO enables companies across various industrial sectors to enhance their productivity, efficiency, and innovation.

FESTO ROBOTICS

"Hello, nice to meet you!"

The project "Hello, nice to meet you!" is an intersection of art and technology, resulting from a two-month collaboration between artist Valerie Wolf Gang and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) during her artistic residency. The artist had the unique opportunity to work with industrial robots, typically used in manufacturing environments, which inspired her to develop a new mode of communication.

During her work, Valerie encountered a challenge: the noisy industrial environment made it impossible to use voice commands for remote robot control. This led her to an innovative solution—teaching the robots sign language. Through this approach, the robots became capable of recognizing and responding to human commands via sign language, marking a significant shift in how they are managed and communicated with. This artistic project demonstrates how art and technology can jointly explore and shape a future that is more responsive to human needs and sensitive to the diversity of communication methods in our society.

VALERIE WOLF GANG, 2021

360° Virtual Experience

A Glimpse into the Future is not a tourist postcard. It offers a view from below and within, showcasing the working-class, rebellious, and now technological identity of the town. VR technology serves as a prism, guiding the viewer through the original path of the two key aspects of Trbovlje – its underground and supersonic perspectives. The viewer is invited to immerse themselves in this unique experience either with virtual reality glasses or simply by scanning a QR code with their personal phone.

A Glimpse into the Future is a pilot project of Stage 360 – a virtual production by Zavod En-Knap – which employs the method of creative framing. At Zavod En-Knap, we developed this method to establish an intersection between municipal and economic structures and cultural heritage on one side, and contemporary artistic approaches on the other. Through a four-minute VR film about Trbovlje today, we aim to spark the curiosity of a larger number of local, regional, and international visitors, enhancing the visibility and vision of the municipality of Trbovlje.

EN-KNAP
KATAPULT ROBOTICS

As part of the Master's program in Industrial Design, a group of students had an exceptional opportunity to explore and work with the industrial robotic arm Yaskawa and neurotechnologies (BCI) in the "User Interfaces" course. This interdisciplinary experience enabled them to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice and develop a series of innovative prototypes.

These prototypes not only showcase the students' technical skills and creative vision but also open new avenues for future research and development in the field of human-machine interaction.

STUDENTS OF THE MASTER'S PROGRAM IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN (ALUO)
DR. NARVIKA BOVCON
ŽAN RAJŠEK
DR. MAŠA JAZBEC

Neuro Robotka Fany

Project Neuro Robotka Fany represents an innovative fusion of technologies: an industrial collaborative robotic arm that can be controlled via brain signals using a brain-computer interface (BCI). This project introduces new dimensions to human-robot interaction, allowing users to communicate and control the movement of the robotic arm through mental commands. The goal of the project is to demonstrate the potential of BCI technology in industrial and collaborative applications, indicating a future where humans can more effectively collaborate with robots across various environments, from manufacturing to healthcare. Robotka Fany serves as a bridge between the human mind and mechanical execution, opening doors for exploring new possibilities in robotics and automation.

Robotka Fany Observes People

The project is designed to bring robotic technology closer to a broader audience while demonstrating how robotic arms can support human activities beyond rigid, pre-programmed tasks. By tracking human faces, it opens up a range of practical applications, from enhancing interactive experiences in educational and entertainment settings to increasing efficiency and safety in industrial and manufacturing processes.

This project marks a step forward towards more intuitive collaboration between humans and robots, where technology not only understands but also responds to human presence and behavior. This advancement paves the way for new possibilities in human-robot symbiosis for the future.

KATAPULT ROBOTICS
FANUC

Project Robot Softy represents DIY (do-it-yourself) robotics that combines openness, accessibility, and advanced technology. Softy is a DIY robotics project available online as open-source, allowing anyone to build and customize it according to their preferences. This approach encourages learning, experimentation, and knowledge sharing within the robotics enthusiast community.

In collaboration with Dewesoft, known for its advanced measurement instruments, the Softy project is not only entertaining and educational but also serves as a creative tool for demonstrating the capabilities of Dewesoft's devices. The connection between Softy and Dewesoft's measurement equipment allows users to experience high-tech measurement and analysis in practice, highlighting the practical utility and versatility of Dewesoft's solutions in an innovative way.

Dewesoft uses Robot Softy as a fun and interactive way to showcase its measurement instruments at trade shows, workshops, and educational events.

The Softy project thus symbolizes the power of collaboration and open-source communities and serves as an inspiration for those interested in exploring the world of robotics and advanced technologies.

DEWESOFT
KATAPULT ROBOTIKA
VID KOK
ALEKSANDER KLEMENČIČ

ParlaMint: What and How Do They Discuss in Parliament?

We present the ParlaMint speech collections from parliamentary sessions, which include 29 parliaments from European countries and regions, covering parliaments from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and extending to Ukraine, Turkey, and regional parliaments such as the Basque Country, Galicia, and Catalonia. The speech collections encompass sessions from at least 2015 to 2022, with some parliaments (including Ukraine despite the war) extending up to 2023. The sessions are available in their original language and in English (machine translation), allowing anyone who understands English to explore what and how politicians discuss in various European national and regional parliaments. Each speech is accompanied by information about the speakers, their parties, political affiliations, etc., enabling more detailed analyses of speeches by individuals or parties during specific periods.

These collections were developed as part of the international ParlaMint project, a European infrastructure for language resources and technologies CLARIN ERIC. Slovenian researchers played a leading role in the project, with contributions from:

The Knowledge Technologies Department of the “Jožef Stefan” Institute, The Institute of Contemporary History: Dr. Tomaž Erjavec, Dr. Darja Fišer, Dr. Nikola Ljubešić, Taja Kuzman, Katja Meden, Peter Rupnik, Dr. Andrej Pančur, Mihael Ojsteršek, and Jure Skubic.

"Portrait on the Fly" is an interactive art installation created by Christa Sommerer and Laurent Mignonneau. In this work, visitors are confronted with a large screen displaying a swarm of flies. As a visitor stands in front of the screen, the flies begin to follow their movements and gradually form the shape of the viewer’s face. This dynamic portrait constantly changes and adapts based on the person's movement in front of the screen. The project combines elements of digital art, interactivity, and biological metaphor, encouraging contemplation of the relationship between humans and the digital world, as well as questions of identity and perception.

"Homo Insectus" is another interactive installation by Christa Sommerer and Laurent Mignonneau. This installation presents a hybrid world where human figures and insects coexist within a virtual ecosystem. Visitors are presented with an interactive screen where their silhouettes become a habitat for virtual insects. The movement and behavior of these insects change according to the movements of people in front of the screen. This installation explores the interdependence and interaction between the human and animal worlds, while also highlighting questions about the impact of technology on our perception of the natural world.

CHRISTA SOMMERER & LAURENT MIGNONNEAU

An industrial collaborative robot arm from Yaskawa will be on display. Yaskawa Slovenia is renowned for its commitment to innovation, quality, and the development of advanced technological solutions that enable companies worldwide to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve production processes.

In Kočevje, the focus is primarily on manufacturing robots used across various industrial sectors, including the automotive industry, electronics, food and beverage, and metalworking. Their robots are known for their reliability, precision, and flexibility, allowing companies to adapt to rapidly changing market demands.

In addition to manufacturing, the company in Kočevje also contributes to research and development in robotics, further cementing Yaskawa's position as a leading player in this technologically advanced industry. Their presence in Slovenia not only benefits the local economy by creating jobs but also fosters collaboration with local educational and research institutions, contributing to broader technological and industrial innovation in the region.

YASKAWA

The "Advanced Drawing with Yaski Robot Arm" project is an artistic endeavor where an industrial robot arm, typically used for repetitive industrial tasks, takes on the role of an artist by sketching portraits. The aim of the project is to demonstrate that industrial robots, like Yaski, can create art and not just perform routine tasks.

The installation works by first capturing a photograph of a person with a webcam. This photograph is then converted into a drawing using the Python Linedraw library. Although the entire process of creating the drawing is automated and based on algorithms, the final product—a sketch of the person—appears as if it were drawn by hand."VARVARA"

GULJAJEVA & MAR CANET
ŽAN RAJŠEK
MAŠA JAZBEC
PRODUCTION: RUK - DDT"