For Computer and AI Engineers. Presented in conjunction with Pedram Nimreezi of Zen Enterprise Network.

• The Science of Movement

The Laban/Bartenieff Movement System has nearly 100 years of history behind it. Rudolph Laban studied the mathematics of proportion and ratio of the human body, as well as the geometry of space. Irmgard Bartenieff was a physical therapist with a deep understanding of biology and neuromuscular patterns. Her Patterns of Total Body Connectivity can assess how the body is moving, and how parts of the body support and affect other body parts. Together, their work applies a rigorous scientific knowledge to movement and movement analysis that can be helpful to engineers creating robots and avatars. This workshop includes opportunities for you to move and observe momevent. You will leave this workshop able to say:  

• I recognize the 5 categories from which human movement can be analyzed.
• I recognize the 6 Patterns of Total Body Connectivity that are used in 3D, healthy human movement.
• I have a systematic way to examine the movement of avatars, robots, etc.

• Introduction to the Icosahedron

Nearly 100 years ago, Rudolph Laban used the Platonic Solids of the Octahedron, Cube, and Icosahedron to explore the movement of the human body, because they created consistent separations in space. The points, lines, and planes that create the scaffolding for these solids also create trajectories and pathways for training both the execution of 3-dimensional movement and the analysis of that movement. The Icosahedron has recently been discussed as a way to train Deep Learning. This workshop will explore, through theory and movement, how to apply the Icosahedron to human movement to better understand the movements of robots or avatars. You will leave this workshop able to say:

• I recognize the relationships the Platonic Solids have to my space and my body.
• I understand how the Icosahedron is used to create and analyze 3D movement.
• I have a systematic way to examine the movement of avatars, robots, etc.

• Kinesthetic Intelligence for Artificial Intelligence

The Laban/Bartenieff Movement system and theories can help you create more “human” avatars and/or robots. To do so, an in-depth understanding of the functional workings of the human body is necessary for avatar and/or robot construction. Understanding Effort, or the dynamics of a movement, can create more nuanced movement, making a robot or avatar more life-like. This category is what distinguishes “motion” from “movement”.  In this workshop, through movement and observation, you will learn to see Effort, plus notice when existing studies or project have eliminated or missed an Effort factor, resulting in a “less human” or mechanical result. You will leave this workshop able to say:

• I understand how my personal body knowledge/body prejudice affect the experiments, programs, etc. in which I am involved.  
• I understand the 4 factors of human movement Effort.
• I have a systematic way to examine the movement of avatars, robots, etc.

• Proprioceptive Knowing

Understanding one’s own movement is the first step in creating movement. Developing proprioceptive knowing in one’s self can lead to more realistic creations of robots and avatars.  This workshop includes movement experiences and time for self-analysis, in order to better apply your personal learning to your work. You will leave this workshop able to say:

• I understand my own body knowledge/body prejudice, also known as my movement signature.
• I can make choices around my movement patterns to make them better serve me.
• I recognize how my own body knowledge/body prejudice may affect my experiments, programs, etc.
• I can make choices around the movement patterns in these projects in order to better fit the project goals.