This is a little off-topic, interesting just the same: Honda’s ASIMO humanoid robot will be “conducting” the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) at a concert performance with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma at 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 13.

Honda hopes ASIMO’s appearance will draw attention to the DSO’s youth music programs, and particularly DSO’s effort to encourage and support involvement of children in Detroit.

Here’s a video of ASIMO in action:

In addition, ASIMO will demonstrate its unique capabilities for area school children on May 14, prior to a specially arranged master class at the DSO, where a select group of music students will receive personal music instruction from Yo-Yo Ma.

ASIMO, which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, is intended to someday assist the elderly and disabled in their homes. But while Honda continues to develop and enhance ASIMO’s capabilities, the robot is being used today to encourage and inspire young students to consider studies in math and science. The addition of music education to ASIMO’s repertoire is an extension of these efforts.

If any readers are in Detroit and get to this, let me know what you think of the performance!