Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak

Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak

By Dot Cannon: Public Speaker & New-Media ReporterSociety & CultureEducationArts
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Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak episodes

  • Aeolus™: “Smart” and Versatile
    As Over Coffee® counts down to CES® 2019, here's another of our most popular CES® 2018 interviews.  We can't wait to see the latest updates, in Las Vegas in January!


    Suppose you have guests coming.  The clock is ticking.  You have a massive to-do list.

    So--you sit back and nonchalantly sip a cold drink.  Meanwhile, your home robot assistant begins to tidy up, vacuum and dust.



    Alex Huang, founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Aeolus Robotics, has created a domestic robot that could make this scenario a reality.

    During  CES® 2018, in Las Vegas, we saw Aeolus Robotics demo the world's first multifunctional robot.

    Using AI, the Aeolus domestic robot can learn the tasks specific to your home.  She can serve you a cold beverage, sweep, pick up--and keep learning new tasks.

    In the demo we saw, the robot picked up clutter from the floor, vacuumed and brought her demonstrator a cold drink--all in response to voice commands.

    After the demo session, Alex talked about his experiences creating and using Aeolus, how the robot works and the directions in which he plans to develop this smart home robot in the future!


    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

    *
    How Aeolus works;

    *
    The factors behind the inspiration for the robot;

    *
    Why artificial intelligence makes this particular robot unique;

    *
    Future plans for the robot to grow and expand its capabilities.

    *
    What Aeolus’ artificial-intelligence learning curve is like;

    *
    One of Alex’s favorite experiences with using the robot in his own home;

    *
    What the robot can recognize, through AI;

    *
    Future plans for Aeolus to expand its capabilities, and the additional environments in which it would be able to function.


    CES® 2019 runs from Tuesday, January 8th through Friday, January 11th in Las Vegas.  We'll be looking forward to bringing you the latest of all kinds of cool innovations at the intersection of art and science.  And we hope we see Alex, and Aeolus, for a look at what's coming in 2019!
    10 min
  • Aeolus™: “Smart” and Versatile
    As Over Coffee® counts down to CES® 2019, here's another of our most popular CES® 2018 interviews.  We can't wait to see the latest updates, in Las Vegas in January!


    Suppose you have guests coming.  The clock is ticking.  You have a massive to-do list.

    So--you sit back and nonchalantly sip a cold drink.  Meanwhile, your home robot assistant begins to tidy up, vacuum and dust.



    Alex Huang, founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Aeolus Robotics, has created a domestic robot that could make this scenario a reality.

    During  CES® 2018, in Las Vegas, we saw Aeolus Robotics demo the world's first multifunctional robot.

    Using AI, the Aeolus domestic robot can learn the tasks specific to your home.  She can serve you a cold beverage, sweep, pick up--and keep learning new tasks.

    In the demo we saw, the robot picked up clutter from the floor, vacuumed and brought her demonstrator a cold drink--all in response to voice commands.

    After the demo session, Alex talked about his experiences creating and using Aeolus, how the robot works and the directions in which he plans to develop this smart home robot in the future!


    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

    *
    How Aeolus works;

    *
    The factors behind the inspiration for the robot;

    *
    Why artificial intelligence makes this particular robot unique;

    *
    Future plans for the robot to grow and expand its capabilities.

    *
    What Aeolus’ artificial-intelligence learning curve is like;

    *
    One of Alex’s favorite experiences with using the robot in his own home;

    *
    What the robot can recognize, through AI;

    *
    Future plans for Aeolus to expand its capabilities, and the additional environments in which it would be able to function.


    CES® 2019 runs from Tuesday, January 8th through Friday, January 11th in Las Vegas.  We'll be looking forward to bringing you the latest of all kinds of cool innovations at the intersection of art and science.  And we hope we see Alex, and Aeolus, for a look at what's coming in 2019!
    10 min
  • One Job No One Minds Giving to a Robot
    As Over Coffee® counts down to CES® 2019, we're posting some of our most popular podcasts recorded during the 2018 show.  Say it with me: "WHOA!"


    This Laundroid robot is designed to take over a job you're currently doing.  But you almost certainly won't object.

    That's because the Laundroid, which Tokyo-based Seven Dreamers Laboratories created, is the world's first fully automated laundry-folding robot.

    Laundroid was more than twelve years in the making, says Seven Dreamers President and CEO Dr. Shin Sakane.  (You'll recall that we first saw a prototype during CES ® 2016.)



    During CES® 2018, in Las Vegas, Shin shared the story of the "Laundroid" robot, and offered a preview of its official debut.   At the time we spoke, Seven Dreamers was planning to launch it in Tokyo and San Francisco.  A pilot program was also under consideration.

    We have an email in to Shin, with a request for an update!   We'll let you know as soon as we know--and hope to update you further from CES® 2019.

    UPDATED: Seven Dreamers will announce the update of Laundroid by March, 2019, which is the end of the fiscal year in Japan, according to an email from their PR manager.  Unfortunately, since CES® 2019 happens just before the end of their fiscal year, they will not be in Las Vegas this time.



    Meanwhile, this has to be one of the coolest robots we've seen!
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you’ll hear:

    *
    How Shin first came up with the concept for his laundry-folding robot;

    *
    What was involved, in making his vision a reality;

    *
    One of the most challenging hurdles, in translating the task of folding clothes into AI;

    *
    How the Laundroid works, to sort and fold clothes;

    *
    Shin’s “wow” moment in the creation process;

    *
    How to contact Seven Dreamers Laboratories for information on their “pilot program”, in the U.S.


    And, follow the Laundroid on their Facebook page!
    CES 2019 happens Tuesday, January 8th, through Friday, January 11th, 2019, in Las Vegas.
     
    10 min
  • One Job No One Minds Giving to a Robot
    As Over Coffee® counts down to CES® 2019, we're posting some of our most popular podcasts recorded during the 2018 show.  Say it with me: "WHOA!"


    This Laundroid robot is designed to take over a job you're currently doing.  But you almost certainly won't object.

    That's because the Laundroid, which Tokyo-based Seven Dreamers Laboratories created, is the world's first fully automated laundry-folding robot.

    Laundroid was more than twelve years in the making, says Seven Dreamers President and CEO Dr. Shin Sakane.  (You'll recall that we first saw a prototype during CES ® 2016.)



    During CES® 2018, in Las Vegas, Shin shared the story of the "Laundroid" robot, and offered a preview of its official debut.   At the time we spoke, Seven Dreamers was planning to launch it in Tokyo and San Francisco.  A pilot program was also under consideration.

    We have an email in to Shin, with a request for an update!   We'll let you know as soon as we know--and hope to update you further from CES® 2019.

    UPDATED: Seven Dreamers will announce the update of Laundroid by March, 2019, which is the end of the fiscal year in Japan, according to an email from their PR manager.  Unfortunately, since CES® 2019 happens just before the end of their fiscal year, they will not be in Las Vegas this time.



    Meanwhile, this has to be one of the coolest robots we've seen!
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you’ll hear:

    *
    How Shin first came up with the concept for his laundry-folding robot;

    *
    What was involved, in making his vision a reality;

    *
    One of the most challenging hurdles, in translating the task of folding clothes into AI;

    *
    How the Laundroid works, to sort and fold clothes;

    *
    Shin’s “wow” moment in the creation process;

    *
    How to contact Seven Dreamers Laboratories for information on their “pilot program”, in the U.S.


    And, follow the Laundroid on their Facebook page!
    CES 2019 happens Tuesday, January 8th, through Friday, January 11th, 2019, in Las Vegas.
     
    10 min
  • MakePi: DIY, Learning, Fun
    Can you imagine that CES® 2019 is less than a month away?  We'll be looking forward, once again, to bringing you our favorite 2019 innovations.  Meanwhile, here's one of our top interviews from CES 2018 (and we can't believe it's been almost a year, either!).

    MakePi CEO and co-founder Bruno Costa says creating the world's first DIY tablet for kids is just a start.

    We had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Bruno at CES® 2018, in Las Vegas in January.   At the time, he and his San Francisco-based educational-technology hardware startup were just launching their first product.



    The "MakePad" is a tablet which kids, ages 5-14,  can build!   It's designed to teach them how to code.  And the MakePad operates without an internet connection.

    When we spoke, Bruno said MakePi was planning to launch a Kickstarter campaign in March, to get the MakePad into the hands of students.  According to Kickstarter's website, the campaign was a big success!

    Here is the conversation we had, about the MakePad and Bruno's experiences creating it.  Meanwhile, we're hoping to see him at CES® 2019, for an update on what's next for the MakePad and MakePi's future plans!
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you’ll hear:

    *
    How MakePi first came into being;

    *
    The origins of the MakePad tablet;

    *
    Some of the main challenges Bruno and his team encountered, in developing the MakePad;

    *
    The purpose behind the content, for students who use the MakePad;

    *
    What students will see, when they first receive their MakePad to construct;

    *
    How the MakePad works, after a student builds the tablet;

    *
    What students will learn, as they use the MakePad;

    *
    The MakePi team’s vision for future educational innovations.

    *
    The inspiration behind Bruno’s work with the MakePad tablet.


    CES® 2019 happens Tuesday, January 8th through Friday, January 11th in Las Vegas.   Here's the link for information.
    11 min
  • MakePi: DIY, Learning, Fun
    Can you imagine that CES® 2019 is less than a month away?  We'll be looking forward, once again, to bringing you our favorite 2019 innovations.  Meanwhile, here's one of our top interviews from CES 2018 (and we can't believe it's been almost a year, either!).

    MakePi CEO and co-founder Bruno Costa says creating the world's first DIY tablet for kids is just a start.

    We had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Bruno at CES® 2018, in Las Vegas in January.   At the time, he and his San Francisco-based educational-technology hardware startup were just launching their first product.



    The "MakePad" is a tablet which kids, ages 5-14,  can build!   It's designed to teach them how to code.  And the MakePad operates without an internet connection.

    When we spoke, Bruno said MakePi was planning to launch a Kickstarter campaign in March, to get the MakePad into the hands of students.  According to Kickstarter's website, the campaign was a big success!

    Here is the conversation we had, about the MakePad and Bruno's experiences creating it.  Meanwhile, we're hoping to see him at CES® 2019, for an update on what's next for the MakePad and MakePi's future plans!
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you’ll hear:

    *
    How MakePi first came into being;

    *
    The origins of the MakePad tablet;

    *
    Some of the main challenges Bruno and his team encountered, in developing the MakePad;

    *
    The purpose behind the content, for students who use the MakePad;

    *
    What students will see, when they first receive their MakePad to construct;

    *
    How the MakePad works, after a student builds the tablet;

    *
    What students will learn, as they use the MakePad;

    *
    The MakePi team’s vision for future educational innovations.

    *
    The inspiration behind Bruno’s work with the MakePad tablet.


    CES® 2019 happens Tuesday, January 8th through Friday, January 11th in Las Vegas.   Here's the link for information.
    11 min
  • In Harmony With Math


    During his growing-up years, musician Marcus Blackwell, Jr., says he was "math phobic".

    Today, he's overcome that fear.  And he uses what he learned, about the connection between music and mathematics, to help other students succeed.

    Marcus is the founder and CEO of Make Music Count, a unique educational curriculum based on teaching piano.  Students use the app to learn to play their favorite songs--and at the same time, they're learning math concepts.

    Fractions, graphing, algebra and now, precalculus, are among the areas Make Music Count covers.   Approximately 60 schools are currently partnering with the program, and Marcus says he hopes to expand considerably in the future.  The program covers all levels of math, from third grade up to twelfth.

    Marcus talked about his own struggles with math, how he came to invent Make Music Count and how the program works.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

    *
    How music ultimately resulted in Marcus becoming comfortable with math;

    *
    How a great book and a surprise career assessment led him to create Make Music Count;

    *
    A "giving-back" experience and a leap of faith, that took his career to the next step;

    *
    How Make Music Count evolved from "something cool" to an education program;

    *
    How the app works;

    *
    The answer to a common question students ask about math, in the classroom;

    *
    Why the program is fun even for students who excel at math;

    *
    How the Make Music Count app measures effectiveness;

    *
    And, a math lesson, using an imaginary piano!;

    *
    Some of the resources Marcus recommends, to fellow education innovators;

    *
    What's involved, for schools and individuals who'd like to use the app;

    *
    One of Marcus's favorite experiences,with introducing Make Music Count in the schools;

    *
    Marcus's vision for the future.


     
    22 min
  • In Harmony With Math


    During his growing-up years, musician Marcus Blackwell, Jr., says he was "math phobic".

    Today, he's overcome that fear.  And he uses what he learned, about the connection between music and mathematics, to help other students succeed.

    Marcus is the founder and CEO of Make Music Count, a unique educational curriculum based on teaching piano.  Students use the app to learn to play their favorite songs--and at the same time, they're learning math concepts.

    Fractions, graphing, algebra and now, precalculus, are among the areas Make Music Count covers.   Approximately 60 schools are currently partnering with the program, and Marcus says he hopes to expand considerably in the future.  The program covers all levels of math, from third grade up to twelfth.

    Marcus talked about his own struggles with math, how he came to invent Make Music Count and how the program works.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

    *
    How music ultimately resulted in Marcus becoming comfortable with math;

    *
    How a great book and a surprise career assessment led him to create Make Music Count;

    *
    A "giving-back" experience and a leap of faith, that took his career to the next step;

    *
    How Make Music Count evolved from "something cool" to an education program;

    *
    How the app works;

    *
    The answer to a common question students ask about math, in the classroom;

    *
    Why the program is fun even for students who excel at math;

    *
    How the Make Music Count app measures effectiveness;

    *
    And, a math lesson, using an imaginary piano!;

    *
    Some of the resources Marcus recommends, to fellow education innovators;

    *
    What's involved, for schools and individuals who'd like to use the app;

    *
    One of Marcus's favorite experiences,with introducing Make Music Count in the schools;

    *
    Marcus's vision for the future.


     
    22 min
  • Responsive Robots
    Over Coffee® is on Thanksgiving hiatus.  We'll be back next week with our 200th episode!  Meanwhile, here is one of our most popular podcast episodes of 2018.




    You look at a robot.  You're imagining it moving towards you.

    After a moment, the robot responds by moving in the direction you've envisioned.

    Or, you come into the lab after a rough day.   A second robot "notices" you're not happy--and comments on that fact!

    Those are just two entirely possible scenarios which roboticist Walter Martinez is currently researching.



    Walter, who teaches electrical engineering at CSULB, is the past President of nonprofit Robotics Society of Southern California.   Currently, he serves as secretary at RSSC.  And earlier this year, he obtained a grant to purchase a "Pepper" humanoid social robot for the campus.

    "Pepper", as mentioned in our earlier post, can carry on a basic conversation and answer questions.  She also responds to facial expressions.



    And the InMoov robot which Walter was building during our first visit, in 2017, is now complete.  The robot, christened "Evo", is the world's first fully-printed, life-sized robot.



    It's also one which Walter has programmed to move forwards and backwards, in response to his brain waves!

    And if you're thinking, "Ohh, I'd love to see these," guess what.  You can!

    The Robotics Society of Southern California meets on the second Saturday of every month, at Cal State Long Beach.   Their free monthly meetings feature guest speakers and everyone's welcome.  And you don't need robotics experience to attend!   (However, if you'd like to start making your own robots, that's a possibility too.  All the projects on their website are open source--and there will be plenty of interested fellow robot enthusiasts who'd like to see what you come up with.)

    Walter talked about his work with the "Pepper" and "Evo" robots, and what his research with them had been like, during our April, 2018 visit.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you’ll hear:

    *
    How “Pepper” works, as a social robot;

    *
    How our brain waves can cause “Evo” to move;

    *
    What needs to happen to make Evo move, with brain signals;

    *
    Some of the obstacles to focusing to move Evo, and how Walter deals with them;

    *
    The process a scientist or an arts person can use to focus on moving Evo;

    *
    Some of the implications of brain-wave research in other areas, such as stroke rehabilitation and the use of brain waves;

    *
    Walter’s favorite experiences with Pepper and Evo;

    *
    Some projected future uses of brain-wave research findings;

    *
    Some of the implications and findings of recent brain-wave research;

    *
    AND, an invitation!


    RSSC's December meeting happens Saturday, December 8th, as they hosti a "Pizza Party and Robot Talent Contest"!   If you do happen to be working on a robot, you're welcome to come by for a "Show-n-Tell" session and get input on your project.    And if you've run into some challenges in the building process, you may even want to ask for some possible solutions.  The pizza party's at noon, and the "Robot Talent Contest" starts at 12:40 in CSULB's ET Building, Room 239.
    However, you'll want to get there before that.  Perhaps just before 10:00 that morning?  At 10:00, RSSC's "Special Interest Group Lecture" begins, with a discussion of robot navigation and artificial in...
    21 min
  • Responsive Robots
    Over Coffee® is on Thanksgiving hiatus.  We'll be back next week with our 200th episode!  Meanwhile, here is one of our most popular podcast episodes of 2018.




    You look at a robot.  You're imagining it moving towards you.

    After a moment, the robot responds by moving in the direction you've envisioned.

    Or, you come into the lab after a rough day.   A second robot "notices" you're not happy--and comments on that fact!

    Those are just two entirely possible scenarios which roboticist Walter Martinez is currently researching.



    Walter, who teaches electrical engineering at CSULB, is the past President of nonprofit Robotics Society of Southern California.   Currently, he serves as secretary at RSSC.  And earlier this year, he obtained a grant to purchase a "Pepper" humanoid social robot for the campus.

    "Pepper", as mentioned in our earlier post, can carry on a basic conversation and answer questions.  She also responds to facial expressions.



    And the InMoov robot which Walter was building during our first visit, in 2017, is now complete.  The robot, christened "Evo", is the world's first fully-printed, life-sized robot.



    It's also one which Walter has programmed to move forwards and backwards, in response to his brain waves!

    And if you're thinking, "Ohh, I'd love to see these," guess what.  You can!

    The Robotics Society of Southern California meets on the second Saturday of every month, at Cal State Long Beach.   Their free monthly meetings feature guest speakers and everyone's welcome.  And you don't need robotics experience to attend!   (However, if you'd like to start making your own robots, that's a possibility too.  All the projects on their website are open source--and there will be plenty of interested fellow robot enthusiasts who'd like to see what you come up with.)

    Walter talked about his work with the "Pepper" and "Evo" robots, and what his research with them had been like, during our April, 2018 visit.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you’ll hear:

    *
    How “Pepper” works, as a social robot;

    *
    How our brain waves can cause “Evo” to move;

    *
    What needs to happen to make Evo move, with brain signals;

    *
    Some of the obstacles to focusing to move Evo, and how Walter deals with them;

    *
    The process a scientist or an arts person can use to focus on moving Evo;

    *
    Some of the implications of brain-wave research in other areas, such as stroke rehabilitation and the use of brain waves;

    *
    Walter’s favorite experiences with Pepper and Evo;

    *
    Some projected future uses of brain-wave research findings;

    *
    Some of the implications and findings of recent brain-wave research;

    *
    AND, an invitation!


    RSSC's December meeting happens Saturday, December 8th, as they hosti a "Pizza Party and Robot Talent Contest"!   If you do happen to be working on a robot, you're welcome to come by for a "Show-n-Tell" session and get input on your project.    And if you've run into some challenges in the building process, you may even want to ask for some possible solutions.  The pizza party's at noon, and the "Robot Talent Contest" starts at 12:40 in CSULB's ET Building, Room 239.
    However, you'll want to get there before that.  Perhaps just before 10:00 that morning?  At 10:00, RSSC's "Special Interest Group Lecture" begins, with a discussion of robot navigation and artificial in...
    21 min

About Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak

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Would you like to know more about the art of twenty-first century "cool stuff" that's changing our world? Such as: robots, space exploration, new media, wearable technology and other innovations that…