This Robot Just Became the First in the World to Conduct an Entire Orchestra

In recent years, robots have been taking on a number of tasks previously considered impossible, and along the way proving us wrong about the extent of their capabilities. Well, last night the humanoid robot known as YuMi--a clever combination of the words'you and me'--did just that when he conducted the Lucca Philharmonic Orchestra at the Verdi Theatre in Pisa, Italy. Also present was Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. Rehearsals were allowed for the robot to memorize and incorporate the precise hand movements and gestures used by resident conductor Andrea Colombini. This was assuming, no doubt, that the musicians were able to maintain a consistent tempo.