As populations age, there is an urgent need to rethink the future of assisted living. Somoure is an artistic research project that explores the production processes, impacts and consequences of the development of assistive robotics, in collaboration with the Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics (IRI UPC-CSIC). The artistic result consists of the creation of a handmade artistic replica of a robotic platform from the Barcelona research laboratory, through a collaborative design process. This replica aims to modify (hack) its form, behavior, and most importantly, the architecture of the code to reflect various societal concerns and other critical philosophical perspectives on robotics and care.

Somoure focuses on Nyam, a robotic arm that feeds those people who can’t do it on their own. Throughout the research process, the artist collected opinions on the presence and impact of assistive robotics in care work, from specialists in the arts and humanities, industrial designers, representatives of domestic work unions and other activists. Responding to the contributions of its interlocutors, the installation presents assistive robotics not as a technological problem to be solved, but as a network of interconnections that shape our expectations about demographic changes.

“Their project is extremely well developed and organized. It is consistent with the proposed challenge. He has a solid experience in the field.” – Tere Badia

+ Artist
Mónica Rikić’s artistic practice is based on the development of alternative technologies through creative programming and electronics. Their proposals combine technology and philosophy in an artistic way, creating technological artifacts less concerned with functionality and productivity, and more interested in provoking collective thought and debate. Formally, her practice is based on the production of handmade electronic objects and robots, which represent different concepts within the framework of her research, presenting themselves as theatrical devices. With these devices, it offers experiences that propose alternative ways of thinking about technology, robotics and open hardware. His works illustrate how artistic research is a valid way not only to contribute, but also to critically evaluate the advancement of techno-scientific knowledge, providing new perspectives and generating paths of exploration hitherto unknown.

+ Credits
Concept and technical development: Mónica Rikić
In collaboration with: Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics CSIC-UPC
Directed by: Agustina Isidori
Music: Rodolfo Venegas

Somoure has been co-produced by HacTe with the support and collaboration of the Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics (IRI) – CSIC-UPC, and the S+T+ARTS programme of the European Union.

This project has been developed within the framework of the S+T+ARTS in the City project. S+T+ARTS in the City has received funding from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology under grant agreement no. LC-01984766.

S+T+ARTS in the City is funded by the European Union under grant agreement LC-01984766 under DG CNECT’s STARTS – Science, Technology and Arts initiative. The opinions and views expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or DG CNECT. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for the contents.