Do not argue whether the DJs are digital or vinyl best – the real question is whether or not a human should be their 1st place. Prague’s Karlovy Lazne club has begun using an automotive robot arm as one of its DJs after its management challenged a robotics company to make it happen. The bot uses custom software to select songs and grabs CDs with its pincers to queue up tracks. It can dance and even scratch records. It is much more involved in the mix than some DJs we have seen.
The arm is not an open-to-close DJ. Ever since it started three weeks ago, it was on an hourly rotation with its programmer.
At least some clubbers seem to like the arm. However, Reuters points out the not-so-shocking objections from some on the dance floor. The robot does not get a feel for what the crowd needs to hear. Tell you to place your hands into the air or otherwise reaction like a flesh-and-blood jockey. We’d add that it is not going to be very creative and is not about to cut up tracks like some of the most experienced DJs. Now, at least, your favorite laptop guru or turntablist will continue profitably employed.
