Duncan MacConnell

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Duncan MacConnell is a researcher at the intersection of music, engineering, and human-robot interaction, best known for his work on robotic musical instruments. His most cited paper, "STARI: A Self Tuning Auto-Monochord Robotic Instrument" (2013, 5 citations), introduces a portable, autonomous string instrument designed for both creative performance and pedagogical use. This work details the instrument’s self-tuning mechanism and the rigorous optimization of its technical components, establishing a foundation for accessible, interactive robotic musicianship. MacConnell’s contributions lie in bridging mechanical engineering with musical expression, creating tools that allow artists and educators to explore automated sound production without sacrificing artistic control. While his citation count reflects a niche but dedicated audience, his impact is felt in the growing field of robotic art and music technology, where STARI serves as a reference for self-contained, tunable robotic instruments. His research continues to inspire new approaches to human-machine collaboration in the arts.