Robohub.org
 

15 robot portraits taken with an 1880s camera


by
05 April 2016



share this:
Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Amsterdam-based photographer Wanda Tuerlinckx feels inspired by the slow style of classic photography. So influenced, in fact, you can find her observing all her subjects through an old-fashioned lens, an authentic 19th century ‘camera obscura’ (Latin for “dark chamber”).

Initially, she began by taking portraits of people. Now she concentrates her artistic endeavours photographing robots, cleverly juxtaposing these unlikely high/low tech companions, to create visually stunning black and white images.

“Robots through the eye of a very old camera can be an extreme combination. It gives the robots a type of personality, or soul. Robots are not typically defined as being ‘romantic,’ but looking at these images the robots feel more alive,” said Tuerlinckx.

“I find it fascinating how people in the tech world react; they find the robots beautiful. The lens doesn’t have a hard effect, like with digital cameras, the focus is softer. The camera I use is not a cold camera, it’s a warm camera made out of wood.”

Wanda hopes to document robots in their evolution over the next 10, 20+ years using her portrait method. “With a camera this old you need to have patience — not always easy to find in our fast-paced world.”

Check out a collection of her photographs below. All images copyright Wanda Tuerlinckx.


Source: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Interact Centaur Rover. European Space Agency. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

SERGIO. Second Edition Robot for Generic Indoor Operations. Tech United/ University of Technology Eindhoven. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Dual-hemi Continuously Variable Transmission. Project: ROSE, University of Twente, RaM. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

KASPAR. Therapeutic robot for children with autism. EIZT/Zuyd Hogeschool. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Robird Jerrie. Clear Flight Solutions. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Entry Descent and Landing (EDL) Demonstrator Module. European Space Agency. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Nao. Robots.nu. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

ReflexLeg. Project: ReflexLeg, University of Twent, RaM. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

TUlip: Tech United/ University of Technology Eindhoven. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


robot-camera-old-11

Underactuated hand prosthesis with compliant control. Project: MyoPro, University of Twente, RaM. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

PARO. Seal robot for people with psycho geriatric disorders. EIZT/ Zuyd Hogeschool. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

TURTLE. Tech United RoboCup Team Limited Edition. Tech United/ University of Technology Eindhoven. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Cheetah, Fast Running Energy Efficient Quadruped Project: FREEQ. University of Twente, RaM. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

AMIGO. Autonomous Mate for IntelliGent Operations. Tech United/University of Technology Eindhoven. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Aerialtronics Altura. Clear Flight Solutions. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx



tags: ,


Kassie Perlongo Kassie is the Managing Editor at Robohub.
Kassie Perlongo Kassie is the Managing Editor at Robohub.





Related posts :



Robot Talk Episode 119 – Robotics for small manufacturers, with Will Kinghorn

  02 May 2025
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Will Kinghorn from Made Smarter about how to increase adoption of new tech by small manufacturers.

Multi-agent path finding in continuous environments

  01 May 2025
How can a group of agents minimise their journey length whilst avoiding collisions?

Interview with Yuki Mitsufuji: Improving AI image generation

  29 Apr 2025
Find out about two pieces of research tackling different aspects of image generation.

Robot Talk Episode 118 – Soft robotics and electronic skin, with Miranda Lowther

  25 Apr 2025
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Miranda Lowther from the University of Bristol about soft, sensitive electronic skin for prosthetic limbs.

Interview with Amina Mević: Machine learning applied to semiconductor manufacturing

  17 Apr 2025
Find out how Amina is using machine learning to develop an explainable multi-output virtual metrology system.

Robot Talk Episode 117 – Robots in orbit, with Jeremy Hadall

  11 Apr 2025
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Jeremy Hadall from the Satellite Applications Catapult about robotic systems for in-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing.

Robot Talk Episode 116 – Evolved behaviour for robot teams, with Tanja Kaiser

  04 Apr 2025
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Tanja Katharina Kaiser from the University of Technology Nuremberg about how applying evolutionary principles can help robot teams make better decisions.

AI can be a powerful tool for scientists. But it can also fuel research misconduct

  31 Mar 2025
While AI is allowing scientists to make technological breakthroughs, there’s also a darker side to the use of AI in science: scientific misconduct is on the rise.



 

Robohub is supported by:




Would you like to learn how to tell impactful stories about your robot or AI system?


scicomm
training the next generation of science communicators in robotics & AI


©2025.05 - Association for the Understanding of Artificial Intelligence


 












©2025.05 - Association for the Understanding of Artificial Intelligence