“This is not your father’s robot group.”
Anonymous
The Robot Group was founded in the Spring of 1989 by a small group of Austin, TX artists and engineers who shared a common vision : utilizing technology to provide and explore new mediums for art.
These individuals began gathering at Discovery Hall science museum, and working on projects. The staff at Discovery Hall referred to this conglomeration as “The Robot Group” so as to distinguish it from the “Computer Group” and the “Exhibits Group” that also met in the building, and it was under that name that the group was incorporated on December 17, 1992.
Through the synergy of fusing art and technology, The Robot Group has stimulated the public into a playful interest in high technology, and art now has new vehicles for effecting culture.
The Robot Group has attracted a diverse audience of young and old, tech and non-tech alike. Each shares the curiosity required to see the artful gracefulness with which man and machine can create new worlds.
In addition, The Robot Group has earned local, national, and international recognition. The Group’s activities have inspired articles in Newsweek, Mondo 2000, boing-boing, and FringeWare Review as well as appearances on ABC’s Good Morning America, and an episode of Invention on the Discovery Channel. Other TV appearances include the debut episode of Art Brigade, and the German program Kulture Report, and Comedy Central’s Insomniac (with Dave Attell).
The Group makes frequent live local appearances at diverse venues such as Robofest, Spam-0-Rama, South by Southwest Film Festival, ArmadilloCon, Linux Fest, First Night Austin, and Maker Faire Austin. The group’s creations have been offered movie roles and have had their own showings at art galleries, locally and in New York City.
Members of The Robot Group are volunteers and come from all walks of life. The group currently has approximately 30 members. The Robot Group is incorporated in the State of Texas and is recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) non-profit.