Asheville News

Tweenbots

Jason Sandford May 8, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Tweenbots are human-dependent robots that navigate the city with the help of pedestrians they encounter. Rolling at a constant speed, in a straight line, Tweenbots have a destination displayed on a flag, and rely on people they meet to read this flag and to aim them in the right direction to reach their goal.
Given their extreme vulnerability, the vastness of city space, the dangers posed by traffic, suspicion of terrorism, and the possibility that no one would be interested in helping a lost little robot, I initially conceived the Tweenbots as disposable creatures which were more likely to struggle and die in the city than to reach their destination. Because I built them with minimal technology, I had no way of tracking the Tweenbot’s progress, and so I set out on the first test with a video camera hidden in my purse. I placed the Tweenbot down on the sidewalk, and walked far enough away that I would not be observed as the Tweenbot––a smiling 10-inch tall cardboard missionary––bumped along towards his inevitable fate.
The results were unexpected.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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3 Comments

Asheville Dweller May 11, 2009

Wonder what the penalty would of been if you got a running kick at one of these lame wastes of time?

Through the up rights!!!!!! ITS GOOD!!!!!

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Dad May 9, 2009

I love this park and spent some happy noon-hours there when I was presenting a class to some Verizon employees nearby.

This idea is so cool. if I had been there, I definitely would have helped.

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Soni May 9, 2009

Too cute. And weird. But cute. And fun. I love it when art goes for the smily/helpy part of human nature.

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