Machine learning, Automation, Robotics, and Space

M.A.R.S. is an annual closed door conference looking at technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and space travel. Run by Amazon's Jeff Bezos it is a collection of futurists looking at what technology my bring. Despite what the name suggests, it is not wholly (or even primarily) focused on space and getting to, and living on, the planet Mars Adam Savage, of Mythbusters, takes us behind those closed doors, giving an insight into the 2018 conference. This is a NPR type presentation, or a long podcast. Savage was invited along to present and discuss armor and suits, including his large collection of replica medieval armor and space suits. He then interviews a variety of the other people at the conference, looking at subjects including: - artificial intelligence (is the Skynet situation likely to happen?) - the future of space suits (and exosuits that could augment our abilites) - remote medical robots (allowing surgery to be done from behind a keyboard halfway across the world) - helper robots (from roombas to Jetson's Rosie) - devices to help disabled people (robotic limbs, deep brain stimulation, advanced hearing aids) - environmental control (biodomes... for living on other planets?) - space exploration (talking to astronauts and the guys who confirmed gravitational waves) - and more.... Strangely the conference also includes physical and practical things - like swimming lessons for those that want them. They will exercise your body while you are there, not just your mind. As with many discussions of future technology this release could look very laughable and quaint in five or ten years. Or it could look prescient. I'm guessing it is probably a mix of both. Some we will be realised, some will be close, some will be seen to be silly, surpassed ideas. But it is a great snapshot of how the future is seen from 2018. The format is a series of interviews and discussions led by Savage. He is the main narrator, providing the background and the context for the discussion and convention, while various experts (all convention attendees) fill in the technical details of their work. The audio is well produced. The sound quality of the interviews etc is all clear. Savage is a good lead for this, walking people through the discussion and explaining it is a way that is not talking down, but also not excluding people who are not techno-savvy. There is some music, used to highlight moments of the audio, but it is not overwhelming, overused or misplaced. If you like NPR, Freakonomics or similar things, you will probably like this.