These mechanical music playing devices that were devised by people with way too much time on their hands. Unlike the old calliopes and hurdy-gurdy machines, these are pretty ugly. As for the music? Have you every heard a washing machine with a bunch of marbles? However, I do love the Animusic bug player.
"Musical instrument makers have always been fascinated by pushing the boundaries of their craft, and several creative individuals have created automated musical instruments that play without the need of a human performer. Belgian composer, performer, and instrument maker Godfried-Willem Raes has invented a huge number of bizarre and offbeat instruments during his career. Many of them are unusual instrument/robot hybrids capable of being controlled by computers."
Implications - Though it is an age-old industry, music and entertainment has seen and will continue to see many reinventions as time passes.
Musical Junk
Ugly Noisemakers
Trend Themes
1. Automated Music Machines - With the rise of such unusual instrument/robot hybrids, there is an opportunity for manufacturers to design smarter automated music machines that are capable of being controlled by computers.
2. Unconventional Instrument Innovation - The demand for unconventional instrument innovation in the music industry has sparked a trend in building bizarre and offbeat musical instruments.
3. Experimental Music Creation - Musicians and composers have always pushed the boundaries of their craft, and the availability of automated machines provides a creative space for experimentation in music creation.
Industry Implications
1. Musical Instrument Manufacturing - Manufacturers have an opportunity to develop and sell smarter automated musical instruments.
2. Music and Entertainment - There is potential for growth in unconventional ways of creating music and entertainment through experimentation with unconventional instruments and automated music machines.
3. Robotics - The development of offbeat instrument/robot hybrids demonstrates an opportunity for manufacturers to contextualize robotics in consumer-based products, such as music-making devices.