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Engadget Expand wrap-up: Google, Kinect, electric cars, robots, makers and more!
Not all that long ago, we were staring at spreadsheets, table layouts and sketch-ups, squinting our eyes and attempting to wrap our brains around all of it. On Friday, we popped by Fort Mason in San Francisco, to test drive ZBoard's latest and greatest electric skateboard, and things were already underway, the stage was being erected and banners with our familiar logo were draped everywhere. That moment, however, had nothing on the surreality of the following morning, when, bright and early, the companies began setting up tables. Outside, a Tesla Model S was parked for test drives, and inside were a pair of electric Toyotas, one sporting a giant, decorative plug on its roof. There were big booths from Lenovo and Nokia, an Indie Corner jam-packed with and impressive displays like the the Ekso Bionics robot exoskeleton and Da Vinci's truly awe-inspiring surgical robot. Next to that, was Insert Coin, a gathering of all the semi-finalists for our first-ever startup competition, who had flown from all over to show off a truly diverse and impressive selection of innovation. On stage, an equally diverse array of panelists joined us, from reps for companies like Google, Microsoft, Toyota, and OUYA, to 3D printing companies, roboticists, futurists, sci-fi writers, space explorers, indie gamers and a multimedia DJ / philosopher. Frankly, we're exhausted. And we can't wait to do it again. See you in New York!
Live from Expand: Ask The Editors (video)
You've already had the chance to hear from our parade of speakers, but now's the time to ask us some questions! So, what do you want to know? March 17, 2013 8:00 PM EDT For a full list of Expand sessions, be sure to check out our event hub.
Live from Expand: Bionics, robotic surgery and better living through technology (video)
Emerging technologies have the potential to impact our health and well being, and we'll be talking with Ekso Bionics' Co-founder & CTO Russ Angold and Intuitive Surgical's Senior Director of Research Catherine Mohr to find out how. March 17, 2013 6:15 PM EDT For a full list of Expand sessions, be sure to check out our event hub.
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Tom Rivellini backstage at Expand (video)
If you truly were terrified during the Seven Minutes of Terror that saw the Curiosity Rover successfully land on Mars, you can blame NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Tom Rivellini. As JPL's Principal Engineer for Entry Descent and Landing Systems, Rivellini co-invented the sky crane landing system that helped the rover plant its wheels on the red planet. He met with us backstage to discuss the challenges that have been encountered with these feats of engineering, and what he's currently working on: a new parachute and heat shield system for landing spacecraft carrying humans or larger rovers on Mars. Hit the jump for the full interview on video. Follow all of Engadget's Expand coverage live from San Francisco right here!
Live from Expand: Robopocalypse: Now (video)
Top honchos of 3D Robotics, Willow Garage and Boston Dynamics (yes, of BigDog fame) join us -- and some mechanical pals -- to discuss the past, present and future of robotics. March 17, 2013 2:15 PM EDT For a full list of Expand sessions, be sure to check out our event hub.
Live from Expand: Lenovo ThinkPad: From Research to Design (video)
Lenovo's ThinkPad line is now 20 years old, and we're taking sometime to chat with Lenovo execs to discuss what's made the brand so popular among business-minded folks. In addition, we'll also take a look at how the outfit has kept the line relevant, and nab an exclusive glimpse of the outfit's future plans. March 17, 2013 1:45 PM EDT For a full list of Expand sessions, be sure to check out our event hub.
In Conversation with Sheldon Brown from Toyota Technical Center, USA liveblog
Toyota is no stranger to the hybrid realm and it has already introduced the fully-electric RAV4 EV SUV. Join us for this session where editor-in-chief Tim Stevens chats up Sheldon Brown, executive program manager of the product development office, Toyota Technical Center, USA, Inc. There's sure to be some talk of hybrids and EVs -- and perhaps a glimpse that what the future holds for us road warriors. March 17, 2013 12:00 PM EDT Follow all of Engadget's Expand coverage live from San Francisco right here!
Live from Expand: Toyota's Sheldon Brown (video)
We'll be joined on stage by Toyota's executive program manager, product development Sheldon Brown to discuss the car's company's presence in the hybrid market, and the RAV4 EV, which furthers its focus on electric vehicles. March 17, 2013 12:00 PM EST For a full list of Expand sessions, be sure to check out our event hub.
Live from Expand: What's Next? A Glimpse Into the Future of Technology (video)
Sick of the present? Good, us too. We've gathered together a number of futurists and other thinkers to prognosticate on what's coming next in the world of technology. Let's meet back here for Expand 2 and see who got what right. Deal? March 16, 2013 8:15 PM EDT For a full list of Expand sessions, be sure to check out our event hub.
Live from Expand: Robots, Lasers and Replicators: Making Science Fiction a Reality (video)
Science fiction? Or science fact? We explore the connection between fantastical technologies of the past and their real world analogs, along with Tekzilla's Veronica Belmont, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America's John Scalzi and Robopocalypse author Daniel H. Wilson. March 16, 2013 7:30 PM EDT For a full list of Expand sessions, be sure to check out our event hub.
Live from Expand: Insert Coin New Challengers Demos (video)
You've seen plenty about our Insert Coin competitors on this very site -- and now it's time to see them in action. We've got some stage time with the finalists, who will be arguing for why they think they deserve that $20,000 grand prize. March 16, 2013 6:00 PM EDT For a full list of Expand sessions, be sure to check out our event hub.
Live from Expand: Reprogramming: How Technology is Changing the Way We Watch TV (video)
March 16, 2013 5:15 PM EDT What's next for television? We've got reps from Boxee, TiVo and Sling on hand to discuss the ways in which technology is evolving in the early 21st century.
Live from Expand: A Conversation With Google's Tamar Yehoshua (video)
We'll be joined by Google's director, product management Tamar Yehoshua, to discuss the ways in search is adapting to an ever more mobile-centric world -- and the role voice is playing in that transition. March 16, 2013 4:15 PM EDT Follow all of Engadget's Expand coverage live from San Francisco right here!
Live from Expand: Redesigning Mobile (video)
March 16, 2013 2:30 PM EDT Yes, ladies and gents, it's time to talk mobile. We'll be sitting down with big wigs from some of the top companies in the space, including HTC's VP design Scott Croyle, Samsung's Design America's head of design studio Miloseski and Sprint's director of product development Ryan Sullivan.
Live from Expand: A Conversation with Nest Co-Founder Matt Rogers (video)
Nest answered that age old question: how to make the thermostat exciting? The startup has managed to bring the sleek and cutting edge technologies of mobile devices to the world of home temperature control, helping us to rethink the way we think about home automation in the process. March 16, 2013 2:00 PM EDT For a full list of Expand sessions, be sure to check out our event hub.
Live from Expand: 3D Printing Goes Mainstream (video)
Is 2013 the year that 3D printing goes mainstream? The technology is already decades-old, having been used to great effect in the world of industrial prototyping, but as more and more companies enter the fray, the world of consumer-facing printing seems less and less of a pipe dream. Is the world ready for a 3D printer on every desk? Join us as we speak to Hod Lipson, Professor of Engineering, Cornell University; Max Lobovsky, Co-Founder, FormLabs; and Avi Reichental, President & CEO, 3D Systems. March 16, 2013 1:00 PM EDT For a full list of Expand sessions, be sure to check out our event hub.
Kickstarter Co-Founder Yancey Strickler: In Conversation liveblog
From the breakout success of the Pebble smartwatch to the emergence of the OUYA gaming console, Kickstarter has certainly brought legitimacy to the hardware crowdfunding movement. Join us as editor-in-chief Tim Stevens speaks to Kickstarter co-founder and head of community Yancey Strickler about various Kickstarter successes and the potential struggles candidates have to face to get the crowd on their side. Our chat begins at 12:30PM ET.
ZBoard rolls out the San Francisco Special for the hilly city by the bay (video)
The guys at ZBoard made quite the splash at SXSW Interactive earlier this week -- riding an electric skateboard around the streets and conference halls of Austin will get you all sorts of attention, after all. Still, for all the love they got at the event, the startup opted to hold its latest announce until the kickoff of Expand -- for an important reason: this electric skateboard is a tribute to the hills and winding streets of the city by the bay. ZBoard's San Francisco Special ups the game for the Kickstarted company, extending the board's range to 20 highway or 14 city miles. The wheels also got an upgrade to high-traction 110mm models, while the braking system got a nice bump, as well. Of course, with along all those improvements comes a bit more weight -- the already hefty board now clocks in at 32 pounds. Those who were hoping for a lighter-weight solution akin to the Boosted Board will have to keep holding their breath -- according to the ZBoard's creators, its community said it wouldn't mind adding a few pounds to increase range, and as such, there's a four-pound jump from the ZBoard Pro. But, you know, if all goes according to plan, you shouldn't carry this thing around too much. For when you do, however, there's that padded handle.
Live from Expand: A conversation with Kickstarter Co-Founder Yancey Strickler (video)
Crowdfunding has completely changed the startup game, and nowhere is the site impact more felt more strongly than in the world of hardware manufacturers. Where launching a new piece of hardware once felt insurmountable, the charge lead by Kickstarter is helping to bring on a new era of platforms and innovative devices that have industry-changing potential. We'll be speaking with the site's co-founder and head of community, and you can join in, after the break. March 16, 2013 12:30 PM EDT For a full list of Expand sessions, be sure to check out our event hub.
Expand is tomorrow! Here's what you need to know
It's hard to believe, but Expand is now nigh upon us. We hope to see many of you in San Francisco this weekend! Please note: if you are planning to come to the show, and want to save yourself a few bucks on the ticket price, be sure to buy them in advance today before 5pm PT. We will be closing advanced sales at that time, and offering tickets at the door at $60 for a full pass, $40 for Saturday (includes the after-party) and $30 for just Sunday. Read on to get all the last-minute details you need to know...
