Sony has staged an artificial intelligence-themed exhibition, featuring a field of white spheres that move as if they have their own personalities.
The Japanese electronics company took over Spazio Zegna during Milan design week with the Affinity in Autonomy exhibition, which explored the future of robot-human relations.
The exhibition was partly inspired by Aibo, Sony's robot dog, which was one of the first consumer companion robots when it launched in 1999, and has since been rebooted with artificial intelligence (AI).
One part of the exhibition saw robotic pendulums move around in orb-like cages
Aibo and a number of other Sony products were on display in one section of the exhibition, but to reach them guests had to pass three other zones that each explored autonomy in abstracted ways. The first zone, Awakening, was a simple light and colour installation that aimed to "heighten sensory awareness" with illuminated blob-like shapes that mimicked a visitor's body movements.
The second zone, Autonomous, held a pendulum within an orb-like cage. Rather than being left to gravity, its swing was influenced by the presence of people in the room, so it would appear to greet them they entered.
"It may make visitors question their feelings and responses in this situation," said Sony.
The Accordance zone featured white spheres that rolled around in distinct ways
A third zone, Accordance, was the most large-scale and immersive, featuring numerous smooth white spher...