Amazon recently hosted a secret, invite-only, robotics conference called MARS in Palm Springs, Florida. MARS, or Machine-Learning (Home) Automation, Robotics and Space Exploration, brought together experts in the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence, space exploration, and home automation -- whoa. Amazon didn't officially comment, but of course social media gave as a peak into the conversations. Ron Howard and Jeff Bezos spoke, and CEO's and reps from Toyota, Rethink Robotics, iRobot, MIT, and University of California, Berkeley were in the room -- oh what it would have been to be a fly on the wall. 

Sounds like there were seminars about imbuing machines with human values and experiences for attendees to make their own axes to split wood (huh?), trying virtual-reality devices, and enjoying food and drink on tables set on top of Amazon's Kiva robots.

Here's hoping that we all get an invitation for next year!

Cheers,

Nidhi

Source: http://www.fastcompany.com/3058178/fast-feed/amazon-hosted-a-secretive-robotics-conference-in-florida