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What Do Robots Sound Like?

What Do Robots Sound Like?

By: Ali Tocher
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Interviews with professionals and experts discussing audio design for robotics.

Ali Tocher is an audio designer working in video games. He also looks at real world applications for sound in hospitals and schools.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ali Tocher
Art Music
Episodes
  • Prof Michael Schutz - Hospitals, Alarms, History of the beep, Triangles
    Apr 26 2026

    Professor of Music Cognition and Percussion, McMaster University


    Interviews on the topic of sound for human-robot interactions. Game audio designer Ali Tocher enjoys long form conversations with a wide range of guests.

    Contact: whatdorobotssoundlike@gmail.com Any comments or guest suggestions are welcome.

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    Show notes/links:

    This month's guest is Professor Michael Schutz from McMaster University where he is Professor for Music Cognition and Percussion.


    Professor Schutz's Ted talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap8geRll6F0

    Patterson Alarm sounds paper: Alarm_Sounds_for_Medical_Equipment_in_Intensive_Care_Areas_and_Operating_Theatres

    Alarm examples: https://th.id.au/alarms/

    IEC alarm specification article: https://puiaudio.com/resource/iec-60601-8-application-guide/

    Bernie Krause book: The Great Animal Orchestra



    ***SPECIAL THANKS***


    Original Music: Mara Simpson "Ropes" https://marasimpson.bandcamp.com/


    Original Artwork: Ben Pearce https://www.benpearce.com/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    55 mins
  • Adam Elman - Voice assistants, Automotive, Utilitarian design
    Apr 9 2026

    20 year veteran voice designer, Amazon, Microsoft, Ford etc


    Interviews on the topic of sound for human-robot interactions. Game audio designer Ali Tocher enjoys long form conversations with a wide range of guests.

    Contact: whatdorobotssoundlike@gmail.com Any comments or guest suggestions are welcome.

    _______


    Show notes:

    This month's guest is Adam Elman, a veteran voice designer with 20 years experience working on Amazon Alexa, Ford Sync, Xbox and more.


    Adam's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vuiadam

    Conversation design list, curated by Adam - https://medium.com/@aelman/list/conversation-design-d03ad47d84b8



    Adam's "Favourite Sound" example I used was the trumpet stem from: "Carousel Ride" by Rubblebucket


    ***SPECIAL THANKS***


    Original Music: Mara Simpson "Ropes" https://marasimpson.bandcamp.com/


    Original Artwork: Ben Pearce https://www.benpearce.com/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • Chelsea Titus - Linguistics, Quirks, Backstory, Human interaction
    Dec 3 2025

    Principal Conversation Design | Amazon Lab 126, Emerging Products and Consumer Robotics -


    Interviews on the topic of sound for human-robot interactions. Game audio designer Ali Tocher enjoys long form conversations with a wide range of guests.

    Contact: whatdorobotssoundlike@gmail.com Any comments or guest suggestions are welcome.

    _______


    Show notes:

    This month's guest is Chelsea Titus, Principal Conversation Design at Amazon Lab 126 - Emerging Products and Consumer Robotics


    Chelsea's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-titus-cat


    Extra links


    How button boards are changing human-canine communication: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTnVSJ8V4wk

    Immanuel Kant quote: "Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made"



    ***SPECIAL THANKS***


    Original Music: Mara Simpson "Ropes" https://marasimpson.bandcamp.com/


    Original Artwork: Ben Pearce https://www.benpearce.com/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
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