General Blog

This is the blog for general happenings at Willow Garage.

Dreams in High Fidelity

Posted by: Max Dunn on April 16, 2008 08:37:46

The first piece of computer art that is organic and dynamic. What does a computer dream about? Does it count sheep?

Scott Draves has created a network of 50,000 computers worldwide working together to generate art.

We have an installation of Scott's art called "Dreams in High Fidelity", his rendition of what computers might dream about while they sleep. I asked him to create a high resolution version that moved 12x slower and with longer transitions - something our staff and visitors might enjoy.

Scott agreed and created a dynamic, organic work of art using the equivalent of 500 years of CPU time. Our installation appears on a 60 inch screen, has 200 sheep and 800 transitions - with each sheep playing for one minute and having four transitions that last for 30 seconds before the next sheep appears. Although all the sheep are based on the same algorithm, each is completely different, unique and complex. Most are beautiful and engaging.

If this sounds interesting, and you are near Menlo Park or Palo Alto, please feel free to stop by. We'd like to share it with you.

--- Scott Hassan

Science Pod

Posted by: Max Dunn on April 16, 2008 08:37:03

Steve with pod "Why are you holding a trash can in that picture?" my kids wanted to know. "For Science" was my answer. I went on to tell them that the picture is not a trash can, it's a science pod from our solar-powered autonomous boat. The boat is just weeks away from completion and its first splash. Its deck is completed and ready to be bonded to the hull as soon as the solar panels are attached, all the major components have been built - and the electronic and mechanical systems have been tested in the lab.

So what's the science pod? It's a module designed to house scientific experiments, the details of which are to be covered in future blogs and news. When mounted in the boat, the bottom of the pod is in contact with the water and the "lid" is part of the deck. The scientific module inside will get power, navigation information, and communications from the boat. Stay tuned for more 'science experiments.'

Steve Cousins
President and CEO
Willow Garage, Inc

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