Troblion

Troblion is an autonomous spherical robot that rolls in an oval partially irrigated sandbox. Following very simple programmed rules the sphere already creates a great variety of different motion characteristics that we easily start to interpret as emotions. Troblion seems to be alive. While it is rolling, it builds a layer of hardened sand on its outer surface. In this way Troblion is able to change its appereance. Its naked artificial skin gets hidden in a natural structure. But the more its layer is growing, the heavier it gets. Finally as Troblion is not able to move any more, it needs to shell the sand off by deforming its silicon skin. Not till then it is able to move again. The fragments which remain from the sand layer are leftover pieces of gathered dust which indicate Troblion's existence in space.

The work evolved from my thesis about notions of a soul (Künstlich beseelt, 2010). Thus it explores our perception of life and what we feel as natural or artificial. Being a metaphorical piece of kinetic art Troblion illustrates my understanding of soulfulness.