🚀 go-pugleaf

(This was posted to several git.cc and git.gvu newsgroups, but it
has interest outside the CoC so I'm reposting.  You should definately
come check this out!  For directions to the College go to
http://www.cc.gatech.edu/external.affairs/directions.html)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  GVU Special Event ~~~ GVU Special Event ~~~ GVU Special Event

                      "Pedaling in Cyberspace"

                          Steven K. Roberts

                 Friday, October 20, 1995 at 3:00 pm
              Room 16 College of Computing, Georgia Tech

ABSTRACT:

BEHEMOTH (Big Electronic Human-Energized Machine... Only Too Heavy) is an
autonomous mobile computing platform, designed specifically to support
full-time nomadics while in constant communication with the Internet.
On-board resources include a Macintosh front-end, two DOS environments,
distributed FORTH controllers, and a SPARCstation for CAD and mapping.
Using satellite, cellular, and packet data communications tools, Roberts
has covered 17,000 miles under human power, running an active publishing
and consulting business all the while.  The 580-pound bicycle includes a
heads-up display, handlebar keyboard, head mouse, helmet cooling, 105
speeds, a complete ham radio station, GPS satellite navigation, extensive
security, a CD stereo system, speech synthesis, and much more.

During this event, Roberts will present BEHEMOTH on stage, beginning with
an overview of the entire adventure and covering the system with a level of
technical detail tailored to the audience.  His talks are peppered with
amusing anecdotes from the road, and a generous Q&A period is provided.  In
addition, he will discuss lessons learned from the design and how they are
affecting the new system, while also touching on the more philosophical
issues of art and engineering... passion... and how the liberating tools
integrated into this project can map onto the lives of others.

For more information, contact Steve Roberts (wordy@qualcomm.com) or Faun
Skyles (faun@qualcomm.com).  The Microship lab number is 619-534-2495.


SPEAKER BIO:

High-tech nomad Steven K. Roberts pedaled 17,000 miles around the United
States on a computerized recumbent bicycle that allowed him to remain
network-connected while wandering freely.  This complex blend of adventure
and technology inevitably led to books, hundreds of articles, and
consulting spinoffs -- and Roberts is now retiring $1.2 million BEHEMOTH to
build an aquatic system known as the Microship.  He will launch this
folding solar trimaran in 1997, embarking on an open-ended international
journey with his lifemate, Faun Skyles.

Prior to Steve's nomadics, he operated a consulting engineering business in
the midwest and published three books on microprocessor-based industrial
control system design.  After casting off the bonds of the suburban
American dream to live a life based on passion, electronics became a
liberating tool instead of a business.  His technomadic machines represent
the integration of technology from hundreds of industry sponsors and
creative volunteers, and his once-radical notion of "nomadic connectivity"
has become a fast-growing trend as computer and communication tools become
smaller and more powerful.  "Once you move to the Net," he says, "your
physical location becomes irrelevant."

Roberts is currently based in San Diego, working full-time on the Microship
and periodically taking a break to do a speaking tour with BEHEMOTH.

                                   ~~~
---
keith edwards			        	keith.edwards@cc.gatech.edu
multimedia computing group / georgia tech 	404.894.6266
graphics, visualization, & usability center 	atlanta, ga  30332-0280