PR2 robot performs MIDI files to keep you entertained

Ben Cohen, Daniel Benamy and Mike Phillips at UPenn managed to program their PR2 robot to perform a couple of songs through the use of MIDI files as part of a contest. The PR2 is able to do so autonomously as it interprets the MIDI files as keys on the keyboard. Could this mean we could have robotic buskers as a staple in metropolitan cities down the road? We’d rather not, as music is particularly emotive, so logic won’t really jive too well when it comes to playing a particular piece even when it is note perfect with impeccable timing. What robots will always lack would be a soul, an irreplaceable part in us humans that ties in well with music.