Bruno Zamborlin, PhD (born 1983 in Vicenza) is an Italian AI researcher and entrepreneur based in London, UK.
He is considered a pioneer in the field of converting physical objects into touch-sensitive, interactive surfaces using vibration sensors and Artificial Intelligence.
In 2013 he founded Mogees Limited, the London-Los Angeles based start-up whose products enable users to transform everyday objects into musical instruments and games using a vibration sensor and a mobile phone (100,000 units sold worldwide).
In 2017 he founded HyperSurfaces, a technology platform which converts physical surfaces of any material, shape and form into data-enabled, interactive surfaces using a vibration sensor and a coin-sized chipset.
As an artist, he produces art installations around the world and performs with UK-based electronic music duo Plaid (Warp records).
Early life & education
Zamborlin was born in Vicenza, Italy. After attending a degree in Mathematics between University of Padua (IT) and Liacs (Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science, NL), he enrolled in a master degree in Computer Science in University of Bologna (IT) which he has been awarded with summa cum laude.
He worked at the music technology centre Tempo Reale in Florence between 2004 and 2005, developing several software for computer-aided music composition for kids of age 6-18.
In 2008 Zamborlin moved to Paris, where he lived for 3 years. During this time he has been working at the IRCAM (Institute for Research and Coordination Acoustic Musical) – Centre Pompidou as a member of the Sound Music Movement Interaction team.
Under the supervision of Frederic Bevilacqua, he started experimenting with the use of Artificial Intelligence and human movements. He contributed to the creation of Gesture Follower, a software used to analyse body movements of performers and dancers in order to control sound and visual media in real-time. Different gestures could trigger different media as well as slowing and speeding up their reproduction based on the way such gestures are performed. An example of productions based in the Gesture Follower can be found here and here.
In 2011 Zamborlin relocated to London, where in 2013 he was granted a joint PhD between Goldsmiths, University of London and IRCAM/Pierre and Marie Curie University.
His PhD has been jointly supervised between the Computer Science dept. of Goldsmiths and IRCAM – Centre Pompidou (University of Pierre Marie Curie, Paris 6). The PhD focuses on the concept of Interactive Machine Learning applied to digital musical instruments and performing arts. Specifically, the research verts on the creation of AI-based instruments where the users (the artists) are entitled to define the rules of the AI the instruments are based on. The PhD has been successfully awarded in 2014 in a jury which included Reactable inventor Sergi Jorda and Touch-Keys inventor Andrew McPherson.
granted his PhD in Computer Science
Visiting researcher at Goldsmiths University, Bruno pioneered the concept of transforming physical objects into touch-sensitive, interactive surfaces using vibration sensors and Artificial Intelligence. He is the founder of Mogees Limited, the London-Los Angeles based start-up whose products enable users to transform everyday objects into musical instruments and games using a vibration sensor and a mobile phone (more than 100,000 units sold worldwide). He recently founded HyperSurfaces, a technology platform which converts objects of any material, shape and form into data-enabled, interactive surfaces just using a vibration sensor and a coin-sized chipset. As an artist, he produces art installations around the world and performs with UK-based electronic music duo Plaid (Warp records). Selected awards: MIT Technology review Award - 30 best entrepreneurs under 35; Qwartz Electronic Music award; IRISA Prix Jeune Chercheur; NEMODE - New Economic MOdels in the Digital Economy; Laval Virtual.
Class description POLIMI
In this class on Speculative Design, Bruno challenges the students to imagine how novel technologies based on AI can change the rules in Interior and Spatial Design.
By applying technologies such as HyperSurfaces, a coin-sized chipset which turns rigid materials into 'data-enabled' objects aware of interactions happening on their surface, students are encouraged to rethink the meanings of interaction, design affordances, and artificial intelligence.
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Born : Italy Residence : London, UK Alma mater : joint PhD at Goldsmiths, univ of London and IRCAM, Pompidou Centre – Paris 6. Occupation : AI researcher, Entrepreneur
(Philosophy)
Mogees
Zamborlin founded Mogees Limited
Interactive machine learning Andy Farnell
HyperSurfaces
Awards
- MIT - Jeune Chercheur - JMJ -
Art: - Plaid - Installations (V&A , Salone, Moscow, NY lights, etc) - Rodrigo, JMJ, etc
Selected publications
- Continuous Realtime Gesture Following and Recognition. Part of the Lecture Notes in Computer Science book series (LNCS, volume 5934)
- Online Gesture Analysis and Control of Audio Processing. Part of the Springer Tracts in Advanced Robotics book series (STAR, volume 74)