N-Odes is an interactive sound and light installation that invites audiences into a shared dialogue with a swarm of intelligent orbs. Each orb responds to movement, expressing its orientation through shifting patterns of light and sound. As visitors engage -spinning, tilting, or synchronising their actions - the orbs react both individually and collectively, communicating with one another to reflect the emerging harmony or dissonance within the group. Suspended overhead, a large canopy of orbs dynamically interacts with and shapes the collective audio-visual experience. Powered by evolutionary algorithms, the system generates an immersive, continuously evolving experience shaped by the dynamic interplay between the participant and artificial entities. The installation functions as both an artistic expression and a living research environment - intended to adapt and grow over time. It serves as a showcase for insights from the research and as a platform for further experimentation and public engagement.
This exhibit is based on the EMERGE (Emergent Awareness from Minimal Collectives) project which aims to develop new theoretical and technological frameworks to enable collaborative awareness in artificial collectives. It is founded on the concept that complex collective behaviours and patterns can emerge from simple rules and local interactions. This multidisciplinary work spans swarm robotics, philosophy, and AI research, bridging theory with real-world applications. The exhibit was created by Tom Didiot-Cook, Johanna Blee, and Razanne Abu-Aisheh, Nadine Meertens, Ophelia Deroy and Sabine Hauert.
