TOM: The Assistant Robotic Tutor of Musicianship with Sound Peak Beat Detection

Most past literatures surrounding musical robots has focused on either the engineering design of physical robots that could produce musical sounds, or on the mixed mechatronics aspects of algorithms enhancement to design robots gaining musicianship skills. The recent combined both these research fields into one is called Robotic Musicianship, which is innovative but with limited literatures. Robot musician involved sound peak beat detection techniques to enable musical perception. Responding to the novelty demand, the study adapted design approach of onset beat detection, blended with positivists’ philosophical approaches, and deductive principles associated with these philosophies were adhered to. The study aim to conduct a conceptual design and implement the drum rudiment for a robotic assistant tutor to co-demo electronic snare drum. The design approach of onset beat detection is adapted. The fundamentals of this robot prototype and rudiment work well, although many improvements can be done on the functionality and fluidity, doing so should further enhance engagement and musical development, and achieve the long-term goal to branch out to higher levels of education for music.