COLOGNE, Germany, Nov. 30, 2016 – Want to see a robot DJ? Then check out this amazing video of “YuMi” – behind the decks alongside his human mentor award-winning DJ Yoda.
Collaborative robot “YuMi” – pronounced “You me” – is designed to work closely with people, and was specially programmed for a one-off set at the reveal of the next generation Ford Fiesta car, at Ford’s headquarters, in Cologne, Germany.
The iconic small car this year celebrates its 40th anniversary and the setlist consisted tracks from 1976 onwards. Multi award-winning hip hop DJ and producer DJ Yoda, who has previously collaborated with musicians Mark Ronson and Dr Dre as well as the artist Banksy, spent two weeks on the project, which presented some unique challenges.
“I’ve collaborated before with a classical orchestra a beatboxer and a brass band but teaching a robot to DJ has been crazy. There were times when I didn’t know if it was going to work or not,” said DJ Yoda “The biggest challenge was trying to teach rhythm to robot coders. There were a lot of calculators.”
Ford is among first auto makers to develop a new, closely integrated approach to car workers and collaborative robots working together on the assembly line. Employees already use collaborative robots, also known as co-bots, to help fit shock absorbers to Fiesta cars in Cologne; ensuring a perfect fit and avoiding workers having to access hard to reach places.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8nMKH3y_1I&feature=youtu.be
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Setlist
| 70’s | Jump On It | Bob McGilpin |
| 70’s | DJ Rap | Poor Boy Rappers |
| 80’s | U Really Got It Goin’ On | Maria Mendez |
| 80’s | Play The Game | Easy Listening |
| 90’s | Feel The Music | Kid Wavy |
| 90’s | Get Up | Demrick |
| 00’s | V8 Unicorn | Eddy the Atlantis |
| 00’s | Gimme That Power | Ben England, Hannah V and Max Marshall |
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
