Amazon’s invitation-only conference on machine learning, automation, robotics and space exploration, also known as MARS, has become an annual tradition marked by billionaire CEO Jeff Bezos’ high-tech high jinks.
Last year, Bezos kicked off the Palm Springs meet-up by taking the controls of a giant robot. Today, he showed up as “Buff Bezos,” accompanied by Boston Dynamics’ four-legged, anxiety-inducing SpotMini robot.
Our invitation must have gotten lost in the mail, but based on the tweetstream, the highlights so far include an Intel indoor drone formation fly-in, emceed by Intel CEO Brian Krzanich … a ping-pong-playing robot … a show-and-tell by Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck, featuring his company’s 3-D-printed Rutherford rocket engine and Humanity Star disco-ball satellite … a sound-converting vest … and an inspirational talk by actor Michael J. Fox.
Here’s today’s gallery, and stay tuned for more about #MARS2018.
A robot parade at #mars2018 — the round ones are autonomously following the dog. Also, a drone. pic.twitter.com/6Ah13j0oL1
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 19, 2018
Jeff Bezos playing beer pong with a robot #mars2018 pic.twitter.com/K1DQzDNvuY
— Cosima Gretton MD (@cosgretton) March 19, 2018
So far this morning at #mars2018 — Intel CEO Brian Krzanich and the Intel drone team demo indoor formation flying. pic.twitter.com/fVbksI0z5P
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 19, 2018
Peter Beck @RocketLab with his – literally – 3D printed rocket engine. With reusable ejected batteries. #mars2018 pic.twitter.com/PFeJBDdXlW
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 19, 2018
What the robot sees. Boston Robotics at @JeffBezos’ #mars2018 pic.twitter.com/pR8y9KyLR0
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 19, 2018
. @EllenStofan and I are planning some space fun with @blueorigin ! pic.twitter.com/FfawkA7mE0
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 19, 2018
Now David Eagleman shows his vests that translate sound to sensation for deaf people and more #mars2018 pic.twitter.com/D3ELohd6su
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 19, 2018
Thank you @realMichaelJFox for kicking off MARS by inspiring us all to think beyond our labs and work on problems that matter! #MARS2018 pic.twitter.com/vXwZ9XahDU
— Laura Major (@lauramajor) March 19, 2018
Thanks for inviting me again this year, @JeffBezos! Always inspiring, exciting, and full of surprises!!!#MARS2018#MachineLearning#Automation#Robotics#SpaceExploration pic.twitter.com/ty80MXjwWM
— Dennis Hong (@DennisHongRobot) March 19, 2018
Special tip o’ the hat to Arizona State University planetary scientist Lindy Elkins-Tanton.
