DJ in the machine

Dr Dave Cliff, an artificial intelligence researcher at the Hewlett Packard laboratory in Bristol, has spent 18 months developing the "HP DJ", which he hopes will eventually be able to operate in nightclubs alongside its human counterparts.

The artificial DJ, essentially a software package loaded into a computer, can select different tracks and beats from its memory bank, mix them and even sample other records, creating its own "set".

It can also be programmed to react to the mood of clubbers by using infrared or motion sensors to gauge how enthusiastically they are dancing to particular types of records.

Cliff said he was developing technology to allow nightclub-goers to indicate their approval of the HP DJ's choice of music through a remote wristwatch-style device with buttons for good and bad.

"For the last five years I have been a very bad amateur DJ," said Cliff.

"I came to realise that a lot of things I was trying to do would be possible using artificial intelligence to get a machine to do them.

"There is nothing wrong with human DJs, but there are situations where people might want the skills of a top DJ without having to spend their money on one."

An initial version of the HP DJ was put up against a real DJ at a London nightclub last year. Cliff said that when surveyed afterwards, more than a third of clubbers admitted they could not tell the difference.

He hoped the HP DJ could be a regular performer at British nightclubs within five years.

"There is no reason why it should not be," said Cliff. "In principle it could happen this time next year. We have the technology now."

Cliff said Hewlett Packard had no plans to release the HP DJ as a product in the foreseeable future, but added that they were considering conducting live demonstrations at music events next northern summer.

- NZPA