Anthropomorphic Machine, which moves in response to human gestures, was created by performance artist Stelarc and his team during lockdown and took one year to make.

"It was a really ambitious project," Stelarc told AAP on Friday.

"It's a very different kind of robotic machine. In a few days time, people will be able to interact remotely."

The project was made using materials including 498 stainless steel struts and cutting edge pneumatic rubber muscles as actuators.

It is among 16 large-scale installations from across the globe featured in the new SWARM exhibition at Science Gallery Melbourne.

Other exhibition highlights include The Egg, a kinetic sound sculpture by Berlin artist Marco Barotti, which creates sounds based on real-time data.

Lithuanian artist Julijonas Urbonas' installation Planet of People presents a speculative planet made entirely from human bodies.

Science Gallery Melbourne Director Dr Ryan Jefferies opened in January after four failed attempts during the pandemic.

"This event is really significant, it took us four attempts to open the gallery through COVID," Mr Jefferies said.

"We had online engagement during that time but for our key audience I think it's really important to have those in-gallery, social kind of experiences."

The gallery offers over 3500 sqm of exhibition space, a dedicated teaching learning space in partnership with the Victorian Department of Education and Training, a theatre, an artist residency lab and social spaces, designed to inspire young adults through art, science and innovation.

Australian Associated Press