once upon a time I lived in Africa working as a journalist and teaching
working as a journalist and teaching
working as a journalist and teaching journalism to people living in conflict
journalism to people living in conflict
journalism to people living in conflict zones and very difficult parts I was
zones and very difficult parts I was
zones and very difficult parts I was doing this so that my students could
doing this so that my students could
doing this so that my students could tell the world what was going on in
tell the world what was going on in
tell the world what was going on in cases of atrocity and also they could
cases of atrocity and also they could
cases of atrocity and also they could have a career to support their families
have a career to support their families
have a career to support their families through the media training during this
through the media training during this
through the media training during this time I found myself from the
time I found myself from the
time I found myself from the northeastern part of dr congo during one
northeastern part of dr congo during one
northeastern part of dr congo during one of the periods of escalation and
of the periods of escalation and
of the periods of escalation and violence it was a hope and expectation
violence it was a hope and expectation
violence it was a hope and expectation of mine that by bringing these photos to
of mine that by bringing these photos to
of mine that by bringing these photos to the world they would reach people who
the world they would reach people who
the world they would reach people who could potentially stop the killing or
could potentially stop the killing or
could potentially stop the killing or help stop the killing and bring in an
help stop the killing and bring in an
help stop the killing and bring in an air of peace one of the duties of
air of peace one of the duties of
air of peace one of the duties of journalism is to report the facts and
journalism is to report the facts and
journalism is to report the facts and then the public will do with the
then the public will do with the
then the public will do with the information what it will however kind of
information what it will however kind of
information what it will however kind of a frustration i had was that the tropes
a frustration i had was that the tropes
a frustration i had was that the tropes of journalistic storytelling could never
of journalistic storytelling could never
of journalistic storytelling could never really convey with the terror of the
really convey with the terror of the
really convey with the terror of the place what it feels like when people are
place what it feels like when people are
place what it feels like when people are just constantly under the stress of
just constantly under the stress of
just constantly under the stress of having their lives almost undid so one
having their lives almost undid so one
having their lives almost undid so one of the horrible things about war is
of the horrible things about war is
of the horrible things about war is landmines this is a landmine actually no
landmines this is a landmine actually no
landmines this is a landmine actually no it’s a replica this is called an
it’s a replica this is called an
it’s a replica this is called an anti-personnel mine and the military
anti-personnel mine and the military
anti-personnel mine and the military logic of this is that when it explodes
logic of this is that when it explodes
logic of this is that when it explodes it mames rather than kills the soldier
it mames rather than kills the soldier
it mames rather than kills the soldier and then at least two of the soldiers
and then at least two of the soldiers
and then at least two of the soldiers comrades will have to drag that person
comrades will have to drag that person
comrades will have to drag that person off to receive medical attention and
off to receive medical attention and
off to receive medical attention and then this creates kind of further terror
then this creates kind of further terror
then this creates kind of further terror while costing military resources so as
while costing military resources so as
while costing military resources so as you can see these are prevalent all
you can see these are prevalent all
you can see these are prevalent all around the world and long after the
around the world and long after the
around the world and long after the conflict ends the mines remain active
conflict ends the mines remain active
conflict ends the mines remain active there’s no way to turn them off so this
there’s no way to turn them off so this
there’s no way to turn them off so this means that women children and men who
means that women children and men who
means that women children and men who are largely farmers but going about
are largely farmers but going about
are largely farmers but going about their lives when they step on one they
their lives when they step on one they
their lives when they step on one they lose at least a limb and possibly their
lose at least a limb and possibly their
lose at least a limb and possibly their lives so I kind of mentioned the
lives so I kind of mentioned the
lives so I kind of mentioned the frustration that the journalistic tropes
frustration that the journalistic tropes
frustration that the journalistic tropes don’t convey what what things feel like
don’t convey what what things feel like
don’t convey what what things feel like to be in these areas so after I got out
to be in these areas so after I got out
to be in these areas so after I got out of Congo I started to write short films
of Congo I started to write short films
of Congo I started to write short films to kind of explore what it was like to
to kind of explore what it was like to
to kind of explore what it was like to be there because the duty of a filmmaker
be there because the duty of a filmmaker
be there because the duty of a filmmaker is to bring the audience into the world
is to bring the audience into the world
is to bring the audience into the world characters and so I thought if audience
characters and so I thought if audience
characters and so I thought if audience members could come into the world then
members could come into the world then
members could come into the world then they would have the better sense of
they would have the better sense of
they would have the better sense of empathy towards what it’s like to
empathy towards what it’s like to
empathy towards what it’s like to actually be in these places and perhaps
actually be in these places and perhaps
actually be in these places and perhaps we could do what I came to call closing
we could do what I came to call closing
we could do what I came to call closing the empathy gap so an idea I had was to
the empathy gap so an idea I had was to
the empathy gap so an idea I had was to use science fiction as a genre to
use science fiction as a genre to
use science fiction as a genre to hopefully inspire people to work on new
hopefully inspire people to work on new
hopefully inspire people to work on new solutions to the landmine problem in
solutions to the landmine problem in
solutions to the landmine problem in some way that the Star Trek inspired a
some way that the Star Trek inspired a
some way that the Star Trek inspired a whole generation of innovators through
whole generation of innovators through
whole generation of innovators through that through its use of technology and
that through its use of technology and
that through its use of technology and so one of these amazing things in the
so one of these amazing things in the
so one of these amazing things in the world is an organization called a Poe
world is an organization called a Poe
world is an organization called a Poe poem and a popo is founded by a Belgian
poem and a popo is founded by a Belgian
poem and a popo is founded by a Belgian Buddhist product designer who grew up
Buddhist product designer who grew up
Buddhist product designer who grew up loving rats and at a certain point in
loving rats and at a certain point in
loving rats and at a certain point in his life he started to train rats to
his life he started to train rats to
his life he started to train rats to find landmines and so for 20-some odd
find landmines and so for 20-some odd
find landmines and so for 20-some odd years this organization has been
years this organization has been
years this organization has been clearing minefields with the use of the
clearing minefields with the use of the
clearing minefields with the use of the giant African pouch trap
giant African pouch trap
giant African pouch trap this is all true it’s amazing so I I was
this is all true it’s amazing so I I was
this is all true it’s amazing so I I was like oh that would be that would be kind
like oh that would be that would be kind
like oh that would be that would be kind of a fascinating short film about a rat
of a fascinating short film about a rat
of a fascinating short film about a rat and then I was kind of looking for a
and then I was kind of looking for a
and then I was kind of looking for a plot though right it’s got to be a movie
plot though right it’s got to be a movie
plot though right it’s got to be a movie and around this time I was asked to be a
and around this time I was asked to be a
and around this time I was asked to be a judge on this thing called the robot
judge on this thing called the robot
judge on this thing called the robot Film Festival and the Rowett Film
Film Festival and the Rowett Film
Film Festival and the Rowett Film Festival is a kind of fun quirky event
Festival is a kind of fun quirky event
Festival is a kind of fun quirky event but it’s basically trying to showcase
but it’s basically trying to showcase
but it’s basically trying to showcase benevolent human machine relationships
benevolent human machine relationships
benevolent human machine relationships through the use of cinema so like one of
through the use of cinema so like one of
through the use of cinema so like one of the slogans of the film festivals like
the slogans of the film festivals like
the slogans of the film festivals like what if Skynet loved us right it’d be
what if Skynet loved us right it’d be
what if Skynet loved us right it’d be entirely different Terminator series but
entirely different Terminator series but
entirely different Terminator series but then when I was a judge in this I was
then when I was a judge in this I was
then when I was a judge in this I was like wait a minute
like wait a minute
like wait a minute if robots and humans are working
if robots and humans are working
if robots and humans are working together what if rats and robots could
together what if rats and robots could
together what if rats and robots could work together so with that voila
work together so with that voila
work together so with that voila I had my plot a love story between a rat
I had my plot a love story between a rat
I had my plot a love story between a rat and a robot who guide humans out of a
and a robot who guide humans out of a
and a robot who guide humans out of a landmine field after they’ve gone insane
landmine field after they’ve gone insane
landmine field after they’ve gone insane it’s perfect perfect short film thing
it’s perfect perfect short film thing
it’s perfect perfect short film thing right so I was making the film and it
right so I was making the film and it
right so I was making the film and it was getting this great community and
was getting this great community and
was getting this great community and people started to kind of become
people started to kind of become
people started to kind of become involved and landmine removal work and
involved and landmine removal work and
involved and landmine removal work and kind of educating themselves and then
kind of educating themselves and then
kind of educating themselves and then while we had this kind of little barely
while we had this kind of little barely
while we had this kind of little barely functioning robot type thing on set I
functioning robot type thing on set I
functioning robot type thing on set I got kind of interested in the metaphor
got kind of interested in the metaphor
got kind of interested in the metaphor if like what if robots are kind of like
if like what if robots are kind of like
if like what if robots are kind of like puppets that you throw electronics on
puppets that you throw electronics on
puppets that you throw electronics on right like what if they have that kind
right like what if they have that kind
right like what if they have that kind of magic so then just kind of as a you
of magic so then just kind of as a you
of magic so then just kind of as a you know side quest as I do I started to try
know side quest as I do I started to try
know side quest as I do I started to try and make the robot from my movie in the
and make the robot from my movie in the
and make the robot from my movie in the real world and the process of doing this
real world and the process of doing this
real world and the process of doing this I came across this fantastic thing which
I came across this fantastic thing which
I came across this fantastic thing which many of you were probably
many of you were probably
many of you were probably but if you’re not called the maker
but if you’re not called the maker
but if you’re not called the maker community and basically makers are
community and basically makers are
community and basically makers are people who are interested in technology
people who are interested in technology
people who are interested in technology who strongly believe in open source
who strongly believe in open source
who strongly believe in open source collaboration and also like showcasing
collaboration and also like showcasing
collaboration and also like showcasing their project so it’s all about sharing
their project so it’s all about sharing
their project so it’s all about sharing high-five you go go team this is also
high-five you go go team this is also
high-five you go go team this is also seminal and a lot of the steam education
seminal and a lot of the steam education
seminal and a lot of the steam education initiatives you see coming around
initiatives you see coming around
initiatives you see coming around America these days so anyway there I was
America these days so anyway there I was
America these days so anyway there I was I was in LA and trying to make a robot
I was in LA and trying to make a robot
I was in LA and trying to make a robot so I found some makers and this is kind
so I found some makers and this is kind
so I found some makers and this is kind of kind of someone what the community
of kind of someone what the community
of kind of someone what the community looks like and what it does so I was
looks like and what it does so I was
looks like and what it does so I was actually kind of kidding okay at this
actually kind of kidding okay at this
actually kind of kidding okay at this and another cool thing that’s actually
and another cool thing that’s actually
and another cool thing that’s actually enabling the maker movement is that a
enabling the maker movement is that a
enabling the maker movement is that a lot of the technology that previously in
lot of the technology that previously in
lot of the technology that previously in like the very very recent history would
like the very very recent history would
like the very very recent history would have required advanced degrees in order
have required advanced degrees in order
have required advanced degrees in order to utilize is now really available so
to utilize is now really available so
to utilize is now really available so someone like me who’s you know I want to
someone like me who’s you know I want to
someone like me who’s you know I want to make a robot um can actually make a
make a robot um can actually make a
make a robot um can actually make a robot so I was I was on cloud nine you
robot so I was I was on cloud nine you
robot so I was I was on cloud nine you know you just you feel like an on evil
know you just you feel like an on evil
know you just you feel like an on evil dr. Frankenstein right like ah it lives
dr. Frankenstein right like ah it lives
dr. Frankenstein right like ah it lives so right things are going great I got
so right things are going great I got
so right things are going great I got the robot and then I start mixing the
the robot and then I start mixing the
the robot and then I start mixing the robot with the rats because I’m like
robot with the rats because I’m like
robot with the rats because I’m like well worked in the movie why can’t it
well worked in the movie why can’t it
well worked in the movie why can’t it work in reality so um I started kind of
work in reality so um I started kind of
work in reality so um I started kind of playing with rats and they’re just
playing with rats and they’re just
playing with rats and they’re just amazing creatures like check them out
amazing creatures like check them out
amazing creatures like check them out and when I started but kind of what
and when I started but kind of what
and when I started but kind of what happened here is when I started to mix
happened here is when I started to mix
happened here is when I started to mix the rat and the robots together while
the rat and the robots together while
the rat and the robots together while this rat would be very loving and you
this rat would be very loving and you
this rat would be very loving and you can put it on your shoulder and it eats
can put it on your shoulder and it eats
can put it on your shoulder and it eats food when I put the food in the robot
food when I put the food in the robot
food when I put the food in the robot the rat would just Jack the row but it
the rat would just Jack the row but it
the rat would just Jack the row but it was the first I think rat on robot
was the first I think rat on robot
was the first I think rat on robot mugging and witnessed by a human and I
mugging and witnessed by a human and I
mugging and witnessed by a human and I was like okay you know I learned a lot
was like okay you know I learned a lot
was like okay you know I learned a lot now just it’s not there so I was kind of
now just it’s not there so I was kind of
now just it’s not there so I was kind of like moving away from my dream of the
like moving away from my dream of the
like moving away from my dream of the rat and the robot working together when
rat and the robot working together when
rat and the robot working together when I got one of those like chance emails
I got one of those like chance emails
I got one of those like chance emails like hey McGregor you should go check
like hey McGregor you should go check
like hey McGregor you should go check this guy out to see a lecture by a robot
this guy out to see a lecture by a robot
this guy out to see a lecture by a robot assistant artist named Ian Ingram Ian
assistant artist named Ian Ingram Ian
assistant artist named Ian Ingram Ian Ingram makes robots that communicate and
Ingram makes robots that communicate and
Ingram makes robots that communicate and commune with animals in nature what you
commune with animals in nature what you
commune with animals in nature what you have featured here is his work called a
have featured here is his work called a
have featured here is his work called a lizard legs and the robot is on the left
lizard legs and the robot is on the left
lizard legs and the robot is on the left and so basically there’s a certain
and so basically there’s a certain
and so basically there’s a certain species of lizard that does push-ups to
species of lizard that does push-ups to
species of lizard that does push-ups to declare dominance on the hot spots of
declare dominance on the hot spots of
declare dominance on the hot spots of the rock and that robot emulates the
the rock and that robot emulates the
the rock and that robot emulates the that the lizard perceives as I’m the
that the lizard perceives as I’m the
that the lizard perceives as I’m the dominant man on the rocker she man or
dominant man on the rocker she man or
dominant man on the rocker she man or she she whatever the lizard gender sorry
she she whatever the lizard gender sorry
she she whatever the lizard gender sorry and then the lizard will run away and so
and then the lizard will run away and so
and then the lizard will run away and so it does this all autonomous me so I want
it does this all autonomous me so I want
it does this all autonomous me so I want to go see his lecture I got there at the
to go see his lecture I got there at the
to go see his lecture I got there at the end I was like really excited to find
end I was like really excited to find
end I was like really excited to find someone else who kind of be interested
someone else who kind of be interested
someone else who kind of be interested in this stuff and I got there I was like
in this stuff and I got there I was like
in this stuff and I got there I was like blathering and he looked at me kind of
blathering and he looked at me kind of
blathering and he looked at me kind of bemused and he hands me GPS coordinates
bemused and he hands me GPS coordinates
bemused and he hands me GPS coordinates he’s like tomorrow I’ll be with my robot
he’s like tomorrow I’ll be with my robot
he’s like tomorrow I’ll be with my robot lizard come to these GPS coordinates so
lizard come to these GPS coordinates so
lizard come to these GPS coordinates so now I’m not seeing to always follow GPS
now I’m not seeing to always follow GPS
now I’m not seeing to always follow GPS coordinates to a man with a robotic
coordinates to a man with a robotic
coordinates to a man with a robotic lizard and some locale unknown but it’s
lizard and some locale unknown but it’s
lizard and some locale unknown but it’s a world view I’d strongly endorse so I
a world view I’d strongly endorse so I
a world view I’d strongly endorse so I met him saw the lizard and it was just
met him saw the lizard and it was just
met him saw the lizard and it was just like completely enthralled and then I
like completely enthralled and then I
like completely enthralled and then I went into what I call the kung-fu
went into what I call the kung-fu
went into what I call the kung-fu modality of life and that’s basically
modality of life and that’s basically
modality of life and that’s basically when you find the master I
when you find the master I
when you find the master I you just go and offer to be the
you just go and offer to be the
you just go and offer to be the assistant in his dojo until he teaches
assistant in his dojo until he teaches
assistant in his dojo until he teaches you the sacred things
you the sacred things
you the sacred things so I started bugging me and let me be
so I started bugging me and let me be
so I started bugging me and let me be his assistant and eventually he
his assistant and eventually he
his assistant and eventually he graciously allowed me and I started
graciously allowed me and I started
graciously allowed me and I started working on him repairing this robot this
working on him repairing this robot this
working on him repairing this robot this is a robotic squirrel that scans the
is a robotic squirrel that scans the
is a robotic squirrel that scans the environment for humans or dogs and when
environment for humans or dogs and when
environment for humans or dogs and when it finds one it flicks that squirrel
it finds one it flicks that squirrel
it finds one it flicks that squirrel tail and in the squirrel kind of lexicon
tail and in the squirrel kind of lexicon
tail and in the squirrel kind of lexicon if you want to call it that or language
if you want to call it that or language
if you want to call it that or language that means head to the trees there’s
that means head to the trees there’s
that means head to the trees there’s danger so once I started kind of work on
danger so once I started kind of work on
danger so once I started kind of work on the squirrel is like whoa man and I was
the squirrel is like whoa man and I was
the squirrel is like whoa man and I was also now in conversation with one of the
also now in conversation with one of the
also now in conversation with one of the world’s foremost experts on you know
world’s foremost experts on you know
world’s foremost experts on you know robot animal communication and the more
robot animal communication and the more
robot animal communication and the more I talk to him the more he just made it
I talk to him the more he just made it
I talk to him the more he just made it really probably clear that my dream of
really probably clear that my dream of
really probably clear that my dream of rats and robots working together wasn’t
rats and robots working together wasn’t
rats and robots working together wasn’t gonna be but I was I was with him so
gonna be but I was I was with him so
gonna be but I was I was with him so it’s like there must be something some
it’s like there must be something some
it’s like there must be something some way to kind of make this all happen and
way to kind of make this all happen and
way to kind of make this all happen and so Ian got me into this philosopher
so Ian got me into this philosopher
so Ian got me into this philosopher biologist named jakob von hooks call and
biologist named jakob von hooks call and
biologist named jakob von hooks call and jakob von hooks call is one of the the
jakob von hooks call is one of the the
jakob von hooks call is one of the the founders of a field called biosemiotics
founders of a field called biosemiotics
founders of a field called biosemiotics he’s an adventure of a concept called
he’s an adventure of a concept called
he’s an adventure of a concept called the ohm belt basically what the belt is
the ohm belt basically what the belt is
the ohm belt basically what the belt is is a description that organisms and
is a description that organisms and
is a description that organisms and different species have relationships to
different species have relationships to
different species have relationships to each other based on what they can
each other based on what they can
each other based on what they can perceive and so in terms of thinking
perceive and so in terms of thinking
perceive and so in terms of thinking like how can one communicate with a rat
like how can one communicate with a rat
like how can one communicate with a rat the oome belt in his work would be
the oome belt in his work would be
the oome belt in his work would be pretty seminal
pretty seminal
pretty seminal one of his famous studies is about a
one of his famous studies is about a
one of his famous studies is about a animal that’s probably not near and dear
animal that’s probably not near and dear
animal that’s probably not near and dear to our hearts but it’s eating you or
to our hearts but it’s eating you or
to our hearts but it’s eating you or someone you love in your life and it’s
someone you love in your life and it’s
someone you love in your life and it’s blind deaf and can barely move and I
blind deaf and can barely move and I
blind deaf and can barely move and I find that amazing I’m obviously talking
find that amazing I’m obviously talking
find that amazing I’m obviously talking about the tick so look it’s cool did a
about the tick so look it’s cool did a
about the tick so look it’s cool did a study on the ticks and basically the
study on the ticks and basically the
study on the ticks and basically the tick has very few ways to perceive the
tick has very few ways to perceive the
tick has very few ways to perceive the world so you think of like all the vast
world so you think of like all the vast
world so you think of like all the vast you know spectrums of sound and UV and
you know spectrums of sound and UV and
you know spectrums of sound and UV and ultraviolet that did that how is it tick
ultraviolet that did that how is it tick
ultraviolet that did that how is it tick able to get on to you it doesn’t have
able to get on to you it doesn’t have
able to get on to you it doesn’t have eyes so basically how the tick works is
eyes so basically how the tick works is
eyes so basically how the tick works is it has general light sensitivity in its
it has general light sensitivity in its
it has general light sensitivity in its skin and that lets it climb to the top
skin and that lets it climb to the top
skin and that lets it climb to the top the top of grass and then once it’s on
the top of grass and then once it’s on
the top of grass and then once it’s on the top of grass it just waits for
the top of grass it just waits for
the top of grass it just waits for something to come by and how it knows
something to come by and how it knows
something to come by and how it knows something that waits for a mammal to
something that waits for a mammal to
something that waits for a mammal to come by because all mammals emit
come by because all mammals emit
come by because all mammals emit something called butyrate
something called butyrate
something called butyrate acid from their skin and so once the
acid from their skin and so once the
acid from their skin and so once the tick detects beti rock acid then the
tick detects beti rock acid then the
tick detects beti rock acid then the tick immediately drops and if the tick
tick immediately drops and if the tick
tick immediately drops and if the tick drops him since his Heat all mammal
drops him since his Heat all mammal
drops him since his Heat all mammal blood runs at 98.6 degrees the tick will
blood runs at 98.6 degrees the tick will
blood runs at 98.6 degrees the tick will then climb up find a spot with not too
then climb up find a spot with not too
then climb up find a spot with not too much hair suck blood have a meal and
much hair suck blood have a meal and
much hair suck blood have a meal and then it drops off reproduces and dies
then it drops off reproduces and dies
then it drops off reproduces and dies that’s it’s got that lifestyle going so
that’s it’s got that lifestyle going so
that’s it’s got that lifestyle going so anyway so I was around so but this kind
anyway so I was around so but this kind
anyway so I was around so but this kind of looks like opened up my world right
of looks like opened up my world right
of looks like opened up my world right like so can you can think of like other
like so can you can think of like other
like so can you can think of like other ways that an animal perceptions can be
ways that an animal perceptions can be
ways that an animal perceptions can be really readily integrated into
really readily integrated into
really readily integrated into electronics projects you have Hawks they
electronics projects you have Hawks they
electronics projects you have Hawks they have kind of a telephoto lens
have kind of a telephoto lens
have kind of a telephoto lens Viper’s are able to hunt in complete
Viper’s are able to hunt in complete
Viper’s are able to hunt in complete darkness using infrared of course
darkness using infrared of course
darkness using infrared of course there’s kind of the classic example of
there’s kind of the classic example of
there’s kind of the classic example of the bat but all these sensors are really
the bat but all these sensors are really
the bat but all these sensors are really affordable and they’re really available
affordable and they’re really available
affordable and they’re really available and like particularly the way the maker
and like particularly the way the maker
and like particularly the way the maker community has worked with them it was
community has worked with them it was
community has worked with them it was like there’s a possibility here alright
like there’s a possibility here alright
like there’s a possibility here alright so we had our we had our philosophy and
so we had our we had our philosophy and
so we had our we had our philosophy and then but how we’re going to connect the
then but how we’re going to connect the
then but how we’re going to connect the belt of a human with the belt of a rat
belt of a human with the belt of a rat
belt of a human with the belt of a rat so as you probably noticed as a human
so as you probably noticed as a human
so as you probably noticed as a human you’re a visual creature human zoom belt
you’re a visual creature human zoom belt
you’re a visual creature human zoom belt is mostly mostly visual however rats are
is mostly mostly visual however rats are
is mostly mostly visual however rats are mostly olfactory it’s through scents so
mostly olfactory it’s through scents so
mostly olfactory it’s through scents so for example if a rat comes into a rat
for example if a rat comes into a rat
for example if a rat comes into a rat convention the rat knows like who’s
convention the rat knows like who’s
convention the rat knows like who’s having sex with who who’s eaten last
having sex with who who’s eaten last
having sex with who who’s eaten last who’s hungry
who’s hungry
who’s hungry who needs food who wants to have a
who needs food who wants to have a
who needs food who wants to have a family you know who doesn’t want to all
family you know who doesn’t want to all
family you know who doesn’t want to all this stuff is just immediately apparent
this stuff is just immediately apparent
this stuff is just immediately apparent to the rat and you can kind of wonder
to the rat and you can kind of wonder
to the rat and you can kind of wonder what the sense of time would even be
what the sense of time would even be
what the sense of time would even be like that right when social
like that right when social
like that right when social relationships are all known in the
relationships are all known in the
relationships are all known in the presidents it’s it’s a fun thought
presidents it’s it’s a fun thought
presidents it’s it’s a fun thought experiment but how do you connect these
experiment but how do you connect these
experiment but how do you connect these two creatures and so the brilliant
two creatures and so the brilliant
two creatures and so the brilliant insight Ian came up with was to put an
insight Ian came up with was to put an
insight Ian came up with was to put an accelerometer which is something that
accelerometer which is something that
accelerometer which is something that detects motion it’s in all smart phones
detects motion it’s in all smart phones
detects motion it’s in all smart phones on the rats in an adorable waistcoat
on the rats in an adorable waistcoat
on the rats in an adorable waistcoat well the adorable waistcoat was my idea
well the adorable waistcoat was my idea
well the adorable waistcoat was my idea but then when the rat which one more bit
but then when the rat which one more bit
but then when the rat which one more bit of information so the popo organization
of information so the popo organization
of information so the popo organization that trains the rest to find landmines
that trains the rest to find landmines
that trains the rest to find landmines trains them to scratch and on the ground
trains them to scratch and on the ground
trains them to scratch and on the ground when they find a landmine so in doing
when they find a landmine so in doing
when they find a landmine so in doing this it’s a part of the natural behavior
this it’s a part of the natural behavior
this it’s a part of the natural behavior of the rat that a human can also
of the rat that a human can also
of the rat that a human can also visually identify with it zoom belt so
visually identify with it zoom belt so
visually identify with it zoom belt so in order to kind of facilitate the wrath
in order to kind of facilitate the wrath
in order to kind of facilitate the wrath to human belt communication we started
to human belt communication we started
to human belt communication we started making an accelerometer waistcoat
making an accelerometer waistcoat
making an accelerometer waistcoat devices and putting on the rat and then
devices and putting on the rat and then
devices and putting on the rat and then that would send out X Y Z data that is
that would send out X Y Z data that is
that would send out X Y Z data that is then leading me to my next little phase
then leading me to my next little phase
then leading me to my next little phase of life which is as a rat bionics
of life which is as a rat bionics
of life which is as a rat bionics researcher so now we had our idea we had
researcher so now we had our idea we had
researcher so now we had our idea we had kind of our methodology we had some
kind of our methodology we had some
kind of our methodology we had some technology and we had been in touch with
technology and we had been in touch with
technology and we had been in touch with the opal organization about potential
the opal organization about potential
the opal organization about potential ways that automating the the perception
ways that automating the the perception
ways that automating the the perception of the rat indication on a landmine
of the rat indication on a landmine
of the rat indication on a landmine could be of service they’re fantastic
could be of service they’re fantastic
could be of service they’re fantastic landmine system and so he and I did the
landmine system and so he and I did the
landmine system and so he and I did the next logical thing and flew to Tanzania
next logical thing and flew to Tanzania
next logical thing and flew to Tanzania to test it all out this is the a Popo
to test it all out this is the a Popo
to test it all out this is the a Popo landmine training facility in beautiful
landmine training facility in beautiful
landmine training facility in beautiful Morra Goyo Tanzania you can kind of see
Morra Goyo Tanzania you can kind of see
Morra Goyo Tanzania you can kind of see those little markers there but this is
those little markers there but this is
those little markers there but this is just a KERS and acres full of
just a KERS and acres full of
just a KERS and acres full of deactivated landmines where they put the
deactivated landmines where they put the
deactivated landmines where they put the ratchet this kind of rigorous behavioral
ratchet this kind of rigorous behavioral
ratchet this kind of rigorous behavioral training kind of from birth into when
training kind of from birth into when
training kind of from birth into when they are capable of going to minefields
they are capable of going to minefields
they are capable of going to minefields and shipped off to the cambodian places
and shipped off to the cambodian places
and shipped off to the cambodian places like that so once you and I were there
like that so once you and I were there
like that so once you and I were there we started it that’s in we started to
we started it that’s in we started to
we started it that’s in we started to like test this all out and then give me
like test this all out and then give me
like test this all out and then give me and that’s the waistcoat in the rat and
and that’s the waistcoat in the rat and
and that’s the waistcoat in the rat and then so this is what happened is we were
then so this is what happened is we were
then so this is what happened is we were kind of testing our theories and things
kind of testing our theories and things
kind of testing our theories and things like this and this is what the data
like this and this is what the data
like this and this is what the data looks like
looks like
looks like when it comes out of the rats weight
when it comes out of the rats weight
when it comes out of the rats weight waistcoat and so at this point it became
waistcoat and so at this point it became
waistcoat and so at this point it became quite obvious that like no human can
quite obvious that like no human can
quite obvious that like no human can really draw out what that is remember
really draw out what that is remember
really draw out what that is remember the tick I described out had the three
the tick I described out had the three
the tick I described out had the three factors so we now need to use a machine
factors so we now need to use a machine
factors so we now need to use a machine learning algorithm that kind of has the
learning algorithm that kind of has the
learning algorithm that kind of has the brilliance of the tick that can find
brilliance of the tick that can find
brilliance of the tick that can find three factors in the XYZ data here that
three factors in the XYZ data here that
three factors in the XYZ data here that indicates that the rat has found a land
indicates that the rat has found a land
indicates that the rat has found a land mine which brings us to our next
mine which brings us to our next
mine which brings us to our next challenge of actually yeah using the
challenge of actually yeah using the
challenge of actually yeah using the machine learning algorithms to do all
machine learning algorithms to do all
machine learning algorithms to do all this so I want to kind of take it
this so I want to kind of take it
this so I want to kind of take it briefly back to just note that a simple
briefly back to just note that a simple
briefly back to just note that a simple screenplay has now led to the sensory
screenplay has now led to the sensory
screenplay has now led to the sensory experience of a trained rat being
experience of a trained rat being
experience of a trained rat being translated by wearable technology that
translated by wearable technology that
translated by wearable technology that is then interpreted by machine learning
is then interpreted by machine learning
is then interpreted by machine learning algorithms all to work towards reading
algorithms all to work towards reading
algorithms all to work towards reading the world of landmines and the children
the world of landmines and the children
the world of landmines and the children don’t have to grow up in fear of the
don’t have to grow up in fear of the
don’t have to grow up in fear of the ground beneath their feet and that’s
ground beneath their feet and that’s
ground beneath their feet and that’s where we’re at now and I predict a bold
where we’re at now and I predict a bold
where we’re at now and I predict a bold and wonderful future for you know Bionic
and wonderful future for you know Bionic
and wonderful future for you know Bionic rat communication technology and I want
rat communication technology and I want
rat communication technology and I want to bring this back one further step to
to bring this back one further step to
to bring this back one further step to remind you all that this started with a
remind you all that this started with a
remind you all that this started with a robot and a rat and if there’s something
robot and a rat and if there’s something
robot and a rat and if there’s something that you can take from my story I want
that you can take from my story I want
that you can take from my story I want you to explore the barriers within you
you to explore the barriers within you
you to explore the barriers within you to serve as the foundation to forge the
to serve as the foundation to forge the
to serve as the foundation to forge the bridge to other communities in the world
bridge to other communities in the world
bridge to other communities in the world because you never know where those
because you never know where those
because you never know where those bridges are coming from or where they’re
bridges are coming from or where they’re
bridges are coming from or where they’re going or how far they’ll take you thank
going or how far they’ll take you thank
going or how far they’ll take you thank you
”
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