ROBOTS are to help create an artwork in the Clyde Tunnel as part of a science fiction exhibition.

Ticket-holders are urged to "embark on an audio-visual adventure" as multimedia artist Robbie Thomson and composer Alex Menzies take over the 762 metre-long walkway of the Clyde Tunnel, creating a "sensory subterranean spectacle" for 12 days at the start of August.

The Scotsman reported that some of the robots being used in the event will respond to the movement of audience members.

Inspired by marine mythology and science fiction, this show reveals robotic sculptures and electronic sounds which lead people through a "series of close encounters".

Underwater plants, a crystal forest and creatures whizzing along cables will feature.

Mr Thomson, who is Glasgow-based, is working with two leading robotics firms to create the special effects for the installation called Portal, which will be part of the annual sonic art festival Sonica.

It comes as the tunnel celebrates its 55th anniversary year as part of the cultural programme of the European Championships 2018.

Small groups of visitors will be allowed into the southbound pedestrian tunnel every 15 minutes between 11am and 7pm.

Portal is being staged as part of a city-wide cultural programme organised to coincide with the European Championships, a new multi-sports event being shared between Glasgow and Berlin next month.

Mr Thomson is reported to be preparing for the event with smaller-scale versions of his installations at The Glue Factory, a former warehouse near the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Mr Thomson said: "We looked at various different sites around Glasgow, including old subway tunnels, but the project needs a lot of infrastructure to be brought it.

"I've actually done quite a lot of work in underground spaces before - I'm really interested in their acoustics.

"I had been in the Clyde Tunnel in the past quite a bit and have always thought it would be a wicked place to use."

He said that "tunnels are quite psychological places - you can apply a lot of metaphors to them".

He was also reported as saying: "When you're deep in the belly of them, there could be something happening in them that no-one else knows about.

"They have a real sense of detachment from the outside world.

"I really wanted to look at biological and synthetic forms.

"I'm interested in robotics and how artificial intelligence is changing the way that we negotiate everything."

Cathie Boyd, artistic director of Cryptic, the arts company behind Sonica, was quoted as saying: "I hope it will offer people a really immersive journey through the Clyde Tunnel and an experience that will stay with them for a long time afterwards."