Monty updates; Anybots at the Stanford TODAY (Wed) 12-6PM

Savraj (from Wattvision) and I spent some time at tonight's YC dinner playing with Monty. The robot now has stereoscopic vision with 3D goggles - which is very cool. The goggles also give you control of Monty's head. You can look up and down and the robot will do the same. If you look in a direction that Monty's head cannot physically follow the goggles will show a stiched-together view from the robots perherphial cameras.

Other nifties: You can turn around or bow and monty will imitate you.




Want to see more? Anybots will be showing QA (their newest robot) at the Stanford Cool Product Expo tomorrow (wednesday). Its open to the public so anyone is welcome to come.

Date: 4/8/09

Location: Stanford Arrilaga Alumni Center

Time: 12-6PM

More details.

Silicon Valley - a lot like NOVA

Whenever I fly into Silicon Valley, I'm always a little disappointed.

Growing up, I dreamed it was a very different place - one that was much more urban and active. I imagined a community where everyone would chill outside on their laptops, ride segways to work, and get together regularly for late-night programming sessions.

Although there is definitely some of this going on (like at the SHDH), I'm generally surprised by how little activity there really is.

Instead, I find monotony - a mix between suburbs, office parks, and freeways - much like Northern Virginia. Nice if you're raising kids, but not the place you want to spend your twenties.


Contrast this to UVa's Charlottesville: I was only a few blocks from a dozen bars, numerous cafes, shops, and other generally cool places to hang out (such as the Lawn). And, of course, most areas had WIFI. I miss being able to walk 5 minutes to the lawn, where I can let Ringo play with other dogs while I chill with friends on our laptops.

Also, because the Valley isn't urban, everyone seems to have a car. Forget about getting around without one, unless you live near the CalTrain. My dream of geeks riding segways has been dashed, I've seen more of them (two) in Charlotesville, VA than I have here in the bay. *gasp*

Finally, the whole place seems to die after 8PM. Even Palo Alto, the closest thing they have to a university town, is remarkably quiet at night. At UVa, there would be something going on, regardless of the hour. The only time you might go out and not run into anyone would be between 4 and 5AM.

Anyone have similar experiences? Different ones? Tell me if I'm missing something, I hope I'm wrong about this...