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

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

  • Autonomous Power Racing: Driving Student Potential
     

    (Photograph courtesy of Autonomous Power Racing, and used with permission.)

    At one point, Autonomous Power Racing Executive Director Akin Shoyoye says in his TEDxNavesink talk, he didn't even like the idea of self-driving cars.

    Today, he's passionate about creating autonomous vehicles--and teaching those skills to others.

    Akin is now the co-founder of Drive AI, a Bay Area-based community of engineers and scientists.  Their goal: to develop the largest open data system to help creators develop cutting-edge technology, which they can use to create self-driving vehicles.

    Meanwhile, Autonomous Power Racing is a nonprofit racing league.  Its mentor-led workshops are designed to get students working on an exciting engineering project.  As they build their own self-racing cars, participants develop their skills in math and engineering.   Best of all, they're seeing how these subjects relate to their own world.   (And getting to race the cars they've built is pretty cool, too!)

    As Maker Faire Bay Area approaches, Akin is scheduled to teach a brand-new workshop, during the pre-Maker Faire "Week of Learning".  He'll be offering Autonomous Power Racing's inaugural "Build an Autonomous R/C Car with Raspberry Pi" workshop.  This upcoming Saturday morning, May 12th, he'll show students, from ages "14 to 80", how to create their own raceworthy self-driving vehicles!

    Teams of up to five students can enroll.   Materials are provided, and each team gets to keep the car and continue learning after the workshop ends at 3:00 that afternoon.

    Meanwhile, if you can't attend the workshop this weekend, nonprofit Autonomous Power Racing has future additional classes in the works.  In addition, if you have a technical background and would like to volunteer for a few hours on a Saturday or after school, Akin says they're actively looking for mentors, as they continue to grow!   Mentors, he says, will teach students the basics of creating the vehicles, and can volunteer on a one-time basis or consistently.  You'll find contact information at the bottom of their event page.

    Akin talked about his background, shared the story of creating Autonomous Power Racing and offered a preview of his upcoming workshop.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

    *
    How a favorite skill Akin learned, during his growing-up years, now stands him in good stead, for engineering autonomous vehicles;

    *
    How he first became interested in creating self-driving vehicles and autonomous racing;

    *
    The essential elements for success which Akin experienced during the creation of Drive AI;

    *
    How Drive AI creates a self-driving car's "brain";

    *
    The story of the Autonomous Power Racing league;

    *
    How the "Donkey Car" workshops help students apply what they learn to their own environments;

    *
    What students will experience, in the "Donkey Car" workshop;

    *
    Why the self-driving racer is called the "Donkey Car";

    *
    How you can support nonprofit Autonomous Power Racing, if you have technical skills and time to assist with future workshops;

    *
    One of the best mistakes a student can make that will teach him or her about building autonomous vehicles;

    *
    One of the fundamental lessons students will learn,
    23 min
  • Autonomous Power Racing: Driving Student Potential
     

    (Photograph courtesy of Autonomous Power Racing, and used with permission.)

    At one point, Autonomous Power Racing Executive Director Akin Shoyoye says in his TEDxNavesink talk, he didn't even like the idea of self-driving cars.

    Today, he's passionate about creating autonomous vehicles--and teaching those skills to others.

    Akin is now the co-founder of Drive AI, a Bay Area-based community of engineers and scientists.  Their goal: to develop the largest open data system to help creators develop cutting-edge technology, which they can use to create self-driving vehicles.

    Meanwhile, Autonomous Power Racing is a nonprofit racing league.  Its mentor-led workshops are designed to get students working on an exciting engineering project.  As they build their own self-racing cars, participants develop their skills in math and engineering.   Best of all, they're seeing how these subjects relate to their own world.   (And getting to race the cars they've built is pretty cool, too!)

    As Maker Faire Bay Area approaches, Akin is scheduled to teach a brand-new workshop, during the pre-Maker Faire "Week of Learning".  He'll be offering Autonomous Power Racing's inaugural "Build an Autonomous R/C Car with Raspberry Pi" workshop.  This upcoming Saturday morning, May 12th, he'll show students, from ages "14 to 80", how to create their own raceworthy self-driving vehicles!

    Teams of up to five students can enroll.   Materials are provided, and each team gets to keep the car and continue learning after the workshop ends at 3:00 that afternoon.

    Meanwhile, if you can't attend the workshop this weekend, nonprofit Autonomous Power Racing has future additional classes in the works.  In addition, if you have a technical background and would like to volunteer for a few hours on a Saturday or after school, Akin says they're actively looking for mentors, as they continue to grow!   Mentors, he says, will teach students the basics of creating the vehicles, and can volunteer on a one-time basis or consistently.  You'll find contact information at the bottom of their event page.

    Akin talked about his background, shared the story of creating Autonomous Power Racing and offered a preview of his upcoming workshop.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

    *
    How a favorite skill Akin learned, during his growing-up years, now stands him in good stead, for engineering autonomous vehicles;

    *
    How he first became interested in creating self-driving vehicles and autonomous racing;

    *
    The essential elements for success which Akin experienced during the creation of Drive AI;

    *
    How Drive AI creates a self-driving car's "brain";

    *
    The story of the Autonomous Power Racing league;

    *
    How the "Donkey Car" workshops help students apply what they learn to their own environments;

    *
    What students will experience, in the "Donkey Car" workshop;

    *
    Why the self-driving racer is called the "Donkey Car";

    *
    How you can support nonprofit Autonomous Power Racing, if you have technical skills and time to assist with future workshops;

    *
    One of the best mistakes a student can make that will teach him or her about building autonomous vehicles;

    *
    One of the fundamental lessons students will learn,
    23 min
  • Robots, Research and Fun


    Robots are one indication of just how powerful our brains can be.

    And right now, roboticist Walter Martinez is at the cutting edge of that research, at Cal State Long Beach.

    Walter, who currently serves as secretary for the Robotics Society of Southern California, has built an InMoov robot--and programmed it to move in response to brain waves!  (You'll recall, from our 2017 interview, that the InMoov is the world's first fully 3D printed, life-sized robot, and that the plans are open-source.)



    His robot, "Evo", can move forward and backward, as a subject thinks of these motions!



    In addition, Walter, who teaches electrical engineering classes at CSULB, recently obtained a grant, with which he bought a "Pepper" humanoid robot for the campus.   Walter says he believes CSULB is now the first college campus with "Pepper", which is designed as a social robot.



    "Pepper" can read facial expressions, determine emotions and carry on a conversation, when working with a list of provided questions.

    Walter talked about both the "Pepper" and "Evo" robots, and what current robotic research has revealed about our brains.
    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;

    *
    Upcoming special events happening at the Robotics Society of Southern California (including a May 12th visit from the Mars Rover Driver, John Wright.  Everyone's welcome!;

    *
    Information on the upcoming competitions RSSC is having, AND the Robotics Expo that's coming up in August!


    The Robotics Society of Southern California meets this Saturday, May 12th at 10:00 am in Cal State University Long Beach's Engineering Technology Building, Room 241.  Everyone is welcome, whether you're a skilled roboticist or someone who loves robots but has no plans to ever build one!  And keep the dates of August 4th and August 25th in mind, for the "Long beach Robot Showcase"!  Here's the link for more information.
     
    23 min
  • Robots, Research and Fun


    Robots are one indication of just how powerful our brains can be.

    And right now, roboticist Walter Martinez is at the cutting edge of that research, at Cal State Long Beach.

    Walter, who currently serves as secretary for the Robotics Society of Southern California, has built an InMoov robot--and programmed it to move in response to brain waves!  (You'll recall, from our 2017 interview, that the InMoov is the world's first fully 3D printed, life-sized robot, and that the plans are open-source.)



    His robot, "Evo", can move forward and backward, as a subject thinks of these motions!



    In addition, Walter, who teaches electrical engineering classes at CSULB, recently obtained a grant, with which he bought a "Pepper" humanoid robot for the campus.   Walter says he believes CSULB is now the first college campus with "Pepper", which is designed as a social robot.



    "Pepper" can read facial expressions, determine emotions and carry on a conversation, when working with a list of provided questions.

    Walter talked about both the "Pepper" and "Evo" robots, and what current robotic research has revealed about our brains.
    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;

    *
    Upcoming special events happening at the Robotics Society of Southern California (including a May 12th visit from the Mars Rover Driver, John Wright.  Everyone's welcome!;

    *
    Information on the upcoming competitions RSSC is having, AND the Robotics Expo that's coming up in August!


    The Robotics Society of Southern California meets this Saturday, May 12th at 10:00 am in Cal State University Long Beach's Engineering Technology Building, Room 241.  Everyone is welcome, whether you're a skilled roboticist or someone who loves robots but has no plans to ever build one!  And keep the dates of August 4th and August 25th in mind, for the "Long beach Robot Showcase"!  Here's the link for more information.
     
    23 min
  • Grush: “Smart” Dental Care Plus Fun
    (Photo courtesy of Ethan Schur, and used with permission.)

    "Can I have this toothbrush?  Pleeeease?"

    If we'd said that during our childhood, any parent within earshot would have gone into shock.

    But that plea is becoming more common, since inventor/futurologist Ethan Schur and his team created the Grush Smart Gaming Toothbrush.

    Ethan, who is the founder and Chief Operating Officer of Bay Area startup Grush, Inc., holds the title of "America's Greatest Maker".   With their augmented-reality "Grush", he and his team won the grand prize on the "America's Greatest Makers" television show in 2016.

    Working with pediatric dentist Anubha Sacheti and  technology visionary Yong-Jing Wang, Ethan used his background in game development to design a toothbrush that turns brushing into a video game for young clients.   As kids combat "monsters" and care for a virtual striped cat, parents (and dentists) can receive data on brushing habits.

    Fast-forward to 2018--as the Grush team continues to upgrade their concept.  This  January, they premiered the adult version of the smart toothbrush, the "Cloud White", at CES®.  "Cloud White" will be available later this year; updates are available on the Grush website.

    And if you're going to be in San Jose in June, you'll get a chance to hear Ethan, live, during the 2018 Sensors Expo and Conference.   His talk, "How Sensor Fusion Enabled the Augmented Reality Toothbrush", is scheduled for 11 am on Wednesday, June 27th.  Here's the link for more information.

    Ethan talked about his background, shared the story of creating the Grush smart gaming toothbrush, and offered a preview of his Sensors Conference presentation.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

    *
    How Ethan first became inspired to become an inventor;

    *
    The story of the Grush gaming toothbrush (hint: it has its roots in a common parents' dilemma!);

    *
    How Ethan and his team developed specialized "navigation" technology;

    *
    How Grush differs from others in the market;

    *
    What young clients (and their parents) experience, using the smart toothbrush;

    *
    Team Grush's experiences as they and their own children used the brush;

    *
    A preview of the new adult version of the smart toothbrush, Cloud White;

    *
    A preview of Ethan's upcoming presentation, at the 2018 Sensors Expo and Conference, in San Jose on June 27th;

    *
    Ethan's vision of future "smart" data-gathering toothbrushes for which he and his team are developing technology.



    Sensors Expo and Conference 2018 starts at 9:00 am on Tuesday, June 26th, with pre-conference symposia on topics including "Internet of Things Innovation", wearables and energy harvesting.  The conference runs through Thursday afternoon, June 28th.  Here's the link for registration information.
     

     

     

     
    18 min
  • Grush: “Smart” Dental Care Plus Fun
    (Photo courtesy of Ethan Schur, and used with permission.)

    "Can I have this toothbrush?  Pleeeease?"

    If we'd said that during our childhood, any parent within earshot would have gone into shock.

    But that plea is becoming more common, since inventor/futurologist Ethan Schur and his team created the Grush Smart Gaming Toothbrush.

    Ethan, who is the founder and Chief Operating Officer of Bay Area startup Grush, Inc., holds the title of "America's Greatest Maker".   With their augmented-reality "Grush", he and his team won the grand prize on the "America's Greatest Makers" television show in 2016.

    Working with pediatric dentist Anubha Sacheti and  technology visionary Yong-Jing Wang, Ethan used his background in game development to design a toothbrush that turns brushing into a video game for young clients.   As kids combat "monsters" and care for a virtual striped cat, parents (and dentists) can receive data on brushing habits.

    Fast-forward to 2018--as the Grush team continues to upgrade their concept.  This  January, they premiered the adult version of the smart toothbrush, the "Cloud White", at CES®.  "Cloud White" will be available later this year; updates are available on the Grush website.

    And if you're going to be in San Jose in June, you'll get a chance to hear Ethan, live, during the 2018 Sensors Expo and Conference.   His talk, "How Sensor Fusion Enabled the Augmented Reality Toothbrush", is scheduled for 11 am on Wednesday, June 27th.  Here's the link for more information.

    Ethan talked about his background, shared the story of creating the Grush smart gaming toothbrush, and offered a preview of his Sensors Conference presentation.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

    *
    How Ethan first became inspired to become an inventor;

    *
    The story of the Grush gaming toothbrush (hint: it has its roots in a common parents' dilemma!);

    *
    How Ethan and his team developed specialized "navigation" technology;

    *
    How Grush differs from others in the market;

    *
    What young clients (and their parents) experience, using the smart toothbrush;

    *
    Team Grush's experiences as they and their own children used the brush;

    *
    A preview of the new adult version of the smart toothbrush, Cloud White;

    *
    A preview of Ethan's upcoming presentation, at the 2018 Sensors Expo and Conference, in San Jose on June 27th;

    *
    Ethan's vision of future "smart" data-gathering toothbrushes for which he and his team are developing technology.



    Sensors Expo and Conference 2018 starts at 9:00 am on Tuesday, June 26th, with pre-conference symposia on topics including "Internet of Things Innovation", wearables and energy harvesting.  The conference runs through Thursday afternoon, June 28th.  Here's the link for registration information.
     

     

     

     
    18 min
  • Tiny Circuits: Magic in Miniature
    (Photo courtesy of Ken Burns, and used with permission.)

    When Tiny Circuits founder/president Ken Burns began his 2011 Kickstarter campaign, he simply planned to make, and distribute, some really cool technology.


    He had no idea that his miniature electronics platform, the TinyDuino, was going to launch a business.

    Today, Ken's startup, Tiny Circuits, operates out of a former rubber factory in downtown Akron.  Not only do they offer the TinyDuino--an Arduino-compatible platform the size of a U.S. quarter--they also offer kits for tiny (and cute) miniature electronics projects.  And their electronics are open-source, allowing makers to add their own creativity and imagination!

    Tiny Circuits will be exhibiting from the startup pavilion at the Maker Faire Bay Area, in May.  Among the items they'll display: the Tiny Arcade, an operative game arcade you can hold in the palm of your hand--and the TinySaber, which is just over four inches long!

    Ken talked about his experience creating his startup, Tiny Circuits, offered some advice for fellow entrepreneurs and gave a preview of some of the cool creations he and his his staff will be previewing at the Maker Faire Bay Area.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

    *
    How Ken first became interested in engineering and maker skills;

    *
    The story of Tiny Circuits;

    *
    What the early days of the startup were like;

    *
    Ken's advice for fellow maker/entrepreneurs, from lessons learned during his first year in business;

    *
    Some of the products Ken and his staff will be exhibiting at Maker Faire Bay Area, including a preview of something brand-new!;

    *
    Where to find Ken and his Tiny Circuits exhibit at the Maker Faire;

    *
    Some of the new ideas Tiny Circuits' products have inspired, in the maker community;

    *
    A couple of no-solder projects available for beginning makers.

    *
    Planning on being in the Bay Area in May?  Check out the Maker Faire, Friday, May 18th through Sunday, May 20th at the San Mateo County Event Center!  Here's the link for more information.


     
    22 min
  • Tiny Circuits: Magic in Miniature
    (Photo courtesy of Ken Burns, and used with permission.)

    When Tiny Circuits founder/president Ken Burns began his 2011 Kickstarter campaign, he simply planned to make, and distribute, some really cool technology.


    He had no idea that his miniature electronics platform, the TinyDuino, was going to launch a business.

    Today, Ken's startup, Tiny Circuits, operates out of a former rubber factory in downtown Akron.  Not only do they offer the TinyDuino--an Arduino-compatible platform the size of a U.S. quarter--they also offer kits for tiny (and cute) miniature electronics projects.  And their electronics are open-source, allowing makers to add their own creativity and imagination!

    Tiny Circuits will be exhibiting from the startup pavilion at the Maker Faire Bay Area, in May.  Among the items they'll display: the Tiny Arcade, an operative game arcade you can hold in the palm of your hand--and the TinySaber, which is just over four inches long!

    Ken talked about his experience creating his startup, Tiny Circuits, offered some advice for fellow entrepreneurs and gave a preview of some of the cool creations he and his his staff will be previewing at the Maker Faire Bay Area.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

    *
    How Ken first became interested in engineering and maker skills;

    *
    The story of Tiny Circuits;

    *
    What the early days of the startup were like;

    *
    Ken's advice for fellow maker/entrepreneurs, from lessons learned during his first year in business;

    *
    Some of the products Ken and his staff will be exhibiting at Maker Faire Bay Area, including a preview of something brand-new!;

    *
    Where to find Ken and his Tiny Circuits exhibit at the Maker Faire;

    *
    Some of the new ideas Tiny Circuits' products have inspired, in the maker community;

    *
    A couple of no-solder projects available for beginning makers.

    *
    Planning on being in the Bay Area in May?  Check out the Maker Faire, Friday, May 18th through Sunday, May 20th at the San Mateo County Event Center!  Here's the link for more information.


     
    22 min
  • Cultivating Innovation
    (Image courtesy of NASA, and used with permission.)

    On board the International Space Station, conditions are proving fine for gardening.   And fresh food is now on the menu, for the astronauts.

    Dwarf wheat, zinnias and lettuce are among the crops the crew have grown successfully.  And after SpaceX's Dragon Cargo spacecraft arrived at the ISS on April 4, new technologies are now available, to facilitate the process of growing a garden in space.

    Dr. Gioia Massa is a Project Scientist at NASA Kennedy Space Center.  Her specialties include Space Life Sciences, Controlled Environment Agriculture and Space Life Support.

    And Dr. Massa served as NASA's science team lead, in developing the first-ever fresh food production system for the International Space Station in 2014.  Named Veg-01, or "Veggie", the technology ultimately allowed astronauts to first sample fresh lettuce in space in 2015, according to NASA's mission-pages blog.

    Today, Dr. Massa and her team continue to research and develop additional systems for growing and harvesting fresh food aboard the ISS.

    Dr. Massa talked about the process of developing "Veggie", some of the challenges of growing crops in space, and the new technologies NASA has been developing, which will expand agricultural capabilities both on the ISS and on earth, in the future.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

    *
    How Dr. Massa first became interested in space agriculture;

    *
    The experiences, working as team lead on "Veggie" which she enjoyed the most;

    *
    How NASA teams determine the safety of fresh crops grown in space;

    *
    What NASA scientists are currently doing, to establish space-crop safety standards;

    *
    Some of the technologies and procedures that enable International Space Station astronauts to grow fresh crops;

    *
    The goals of planned future new space agriculture technologies;

    *
    What's currently growing on board the ISS;

    *
    How a new experiment will allow scientists to further explore different types of plants' responses, to conditions in space;

    *
    What NASA's discoveries in space agriculture might mean, for growing crops on Earth for future populations;

    *
    One of Dr. Massa's favorite stories, about the astronauts' interactions with fresh crops grown aboard the ISS;

    *
    A future goal for NASA's experiments with plant systems aboard the International Space Station.


     

     
    26 min
  • Cultivating Innovation
    (Image courtesy of NASA, and used with permission.)

    On board the International Space Station, conditions are proving fine for gardening.   And fresh food is now on the menu, for the astronauts.

    Dwarf wheat, zinnias and lettuce are among the crops the crew have grown successfully.  And after SpaceX's Dragon Cargo spacecraft arrived at the ISS on April 4, new technologies are now available, to facilitate the process of growing a garden in space.

    Dr. Gioia Massa is a Project Scientist at NASA Kennedy Space Center.  Her specialties include Space Life Sciences, Controlled Environment Agriculture and Space Life Support.

    And Dr. Massa served as NASA's science team lead, in developing the first-ever fresh food production system for the International Space Station in 2014.  Named Veg-01, or "Veggie", the technology ultimately allowed astronauts to first sample fresh lettuce in space in 2015, according to NASA's mission-pages blog.

    Today, Dr. Massa and her team continue to research and develop additional systems for growing and harvesting fresh food aboard the ISS.

    Dr. Massa talked about the process of developing "Veggie", some of the challenges of growing crops in space, and the new technologies NASA has been developing, which will expand agricultural capabilities both on the ISS and on earth, in the future.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

    *
    How Dr. Massa first became interested in space agriculture;

    *
    The experiences, working as team lead on "Veggie" which she enjoyed the most;

    *
    How NASA teams determine the safety of fresh crops grown in space;

    *
    What NASA scientists are currently doing, to establish space-crop safety standards;

    *
    Some of the technologies and procedures that enable International Space Station astronauts to grow fresh crops;

    *
    The goals of planned future new space agriculture technologies;

    *
    What's currently growing on board the ISS;

    *
    How a new experiment will allow scientists to further explore different types of plants' responses, to conditions in space;

    *
    What NASA's discoveries in space agriculture might mean, for growing crops on Earth for future populations;

    *
    One of Dr. Massa's favorite stories, about the astronauts' interactions with fresh crops grown aboard the ISS;

    *
    A future goal for NASA's experiments with plant systems aboard the International Space Station.


     

     
    26 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…