Interface[s] Montréal

Telemanipulation and Robotics

Pierre Marcotte

Génisys groupe conseil inc. et Université de Montréal

A Robotized Acrobat Thruster

View the presentation [In French]

A Possible Union of Art, Science and Industry

To highlight the beauty in movement of artists and ensure their safety, Pierre Marcotte, Eng., Ph.D., together with a business specialized in industrial data processing and two researchers , is working at developing an innovative acrobatic apparatus likely to create new aerial choreographies through robotized thrusting/landing. Scientific contribution is key and the aesthetic challenge, crucial. The project is the result of the current wish of the Cirque du Soleil to take better care of its staff and explore new opportunities in conjunction with scientists who are aware of the safety and aestheticism of human body movement. Marcotte believes that bridging biomechanics and robotics with performing arts will give rise to emerging artistic creations never before seen.The approach applied in the creation of the thruster was that of the impedance control, which is based on the theoretical works of Hogan et al. (1985), Hsia et al. (1997) and Blain (1999), similar to that used for the Canadarm simulator at the CSA. Impulse is largely attributable to the combined result of the action of an acrobatic apparatus and the energy input from an aerial acrobat or another acrobat (e.g. teeter board, Russian swing, etc.). With the new robotized acrobatic apparatus, this energy input will no longer be necessary. Add to it the capacity to cushion the landing of an acrobat, the relatively small size of the apparatus allowing several thrusters on the same scene and their synchronization ensured by a computer…Innovation never before seen!

*«I have given this a great deal of thought for some time now…Allow me to share with you what takes up so much of myself.
Imagine artists, both dancers and acrobats, performing an aerial ballet. I have been dreaming of this vision since I attended the Dragone shows of the Cirque du Soleil and those of choreographer Jiri Kilian in 2003. Since then, I have been consumed with the belief that creating a groundbreaking type of ballet with engineering and biomechanics technology would be nothing less than a tremendous success. That being said, I know fairly well that such a project cannot become a reality without a significant contribution from artistic creators…»*
Pierre Marcotte.

From his engineering world, Pierre Marcotte, Eng., Ph.D. has always dreamed of contributing to the arts world. Eager for some of the technological potential of our Western societies to be above all at the service of beauty and emotions, he is firmly convinced that this wish could become reality without necessarily neglecting profitability and market imperatives that far-reaching projects entail. Passionate about research and development, he decided that the time had come for action in 2002. After breaking new ground in diversified fields such as neurosurgery, textile and biomechanics, he joined the Cirque du Soleil. His new role was “to provide technological contributions to the circus world”. Since then, he has invested every effort in this venture and has already designed the reduced-scale prototype of an acrobat thruster with the help of Génisys groupe conseil. In conjunction with human movement biomechanics specialist François Prince, Ph.D. and automated controls specialist André Desbiens, Ph.D., he is currently working on the development of a complete technological platform for the thrusting and landing movement of human bodies for artistic purposes.