This weekend sees the second Robonight in Moscow, a celebration of machines through films, exhibitions and even a robodisco – where, perhaps, robots will do the robot.
Robonight is an initiative by the Skolkovo Foundation and the Skolkovo Open University to steer innovative minds towards robotics, part of a technological sector that is woefully underdeveloped in Russia.
The Robonight logo.
"We need to mobilize the progressives among Moscow's scientists to get them thinking about the importance of robotics, and what benefit it can bring, to the economy," said event organizer Albert Yefimov, director of IT projects at Skolkovo and the foundation's resident robotics expert.
Robonight is Friday 10:20pm through 6am at the DI Telegraph building on Tverskaya St. near the Kremlin. Entry is free for those who register ahead of time, which can be done here.
Organizers are screening two movies – the 2013 Spike Jonze sci-fi romantic comedy “Her” and “Mechanical Love,” a 2007 documentary about androids.
A discussion session will cover topics ranging from “Robo-ethics” to the work of Isaac Asimov, before a technology-inspired art exhibit from Hello Computer.
Alongside the events, attendees will have access to an xBox360 playzone, a robodisco, and pose for a portrait drawn by a robot.
Over 1,000 people have already signed up for Robonight.
Robotics fans are encouraged to come in costume, but organizers have a warning:
“People in elf, goblin or other fairy-story costumes will not be admitted!”