Earth University - Commencement Speech

Earth University Commencement Speech

To the Earth community, esteemed guests, and graduates, good morning! Buenos Dias!

In addition to being an engineer, a scientist, and an inventor, I’m also what you would call a techno-optimist. That means I believe in the power of technology to make us stronger, healthier, and happier. I believe in using technology to do things we couldn’t do before it existed. And I believe in using technology to create an equitable future.

For over two decades, my company AnthroTronix, which derives its name from "Anthro" meaning human and "Tronix" referring to technology, has been committed to improving the human condition through technological innovation.

Confucius said, “Study the past if you would define the future.”  So let me take you on a journey through two stories from my past that embody the spirit of inventing the future.

My first story begins with a vision—a vision to leverage technology to empower those who face challenges that many of us take for granted. It’s the story of CosmoBot, a robot that became more than a machine; it became a companion and a catalyst for learning for children with disabilities. CosmoBot was designed as a tool for teachers, therapists, and parents, to engage with children, to hold their attention, and to facilitate critical physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.

CosmoBot was an eighteen-inch-tall robot, with a friendly face and arms ready to interact. One of the children we worked with, let’s call him Joey, found it difficult to engage with his surroundings and his therapists had a hard time getting his attention. Initially, Joey didn’t respond to CosmoBot’s prompts, but with persistence, something clicked. One day, after multiple attempts, Joey not only looked at CosmoBot but reached out and took its hand. It was a moment of connection, a breakthrough not just for Joey, but for us as developers and inventors. It was proof that technology could be a bridge, a facilitator, and a friend.

We continued to work with Joey and many other children, but the journey to develop CosmoBot was not easy. We faced technological hurdles, market uncertainties, and the daunting task of convincing stakeholders of the value of our innovative product. We had to find funding, overcome skepticism, and, at times, even defend our vision of what technology could achieve. Even though there was a strong need and the technology solved the problem, the market conditions weren’t ready. Cosmobot was too expensive. Smart phones didn’t exist yet so there was a small computer inside Cosmobot; 3d printing was still a niche industry; and the sensor technology used to detect Joey’s reactions was in its infancy. 

But because we believed in the mission of using technology to enhance human capability, we embraced the notion of pivoting—not just in business strategy, but in our approach to problem-solving.

So we shifted from a standalone robot to an educational software platform, Cosmo's Learning System, which expanded our impact and reach. Cosmo's Learning System was not just a set of learning games; it was a comprehensive educational tool that not only helped children with disabilities, but also a broader range of kids—develop critical skills through play and interaction. And guess who the star character in our software was – CosmoBot!

Inventing the future using technology takes perseverance and the ability to adapt to find that intersection of Customer need, technology maturity, and market readiness.  As you go forward in your careers, maybe you will have a great idea to use robotic drones, or artificial intelligence, or sensors to solve a significant problem. These technologies are just tools, it’s up to you to use your creativity and innovation to find that solution that will invent the future.

And the best thing about inventing the future is that you are not alone. One of the most rewarding aspects of shaping the future is that it's a collaborative effort. But sometimes even more challenging than finding solutions is assembling a great team. So find visionary, smart, fun people to work with and the opportunities and creative solutions will follow.

Honestly, that may be the most important thing I have to say to you. But I promised you another story.

My second story begins with a child’s fascination with the stars. Growing up, I was captivated by the science fiction worlds of Star Trek and Star Wars, where technology was not just a tool but a gateway to new frontiers of exploration and discovery. I was amazed by the medical tricorder that could detect any illness, the food replicator that could produce any meal, and the holodeck, which was like the immersive virtual realities we discuss today. These elements sparked my imagination and drove me to aim high. I didn’t just dream about traveling through space; I was inspired by these fantastic technologies that seemed almost within our grasp. After all, if we can imagine these devices, don’t we have the power to make them real?

The dreams of my childhood were not content to stay in the realm of fantasy and in graduate school I got the chance to feel what it's like to be in the weightlessness of space myself. I flew on a special plane called the “Vomit Comet” that lets you experience zero gravity. The floating sensation, seemingly untethered from Earth’s gravity, was both strange and exhilarating —a feeling astronauts know well.  This experience was crucial in deepening my understanding of the unique challenges of living and working in space.

On Earth, our inner ear plays a key role in balance and movement, and provides crucial input for our visual perception. To illustrate the significance of our balance system, I'd like to invite you to participate in a simple demonstration:

First, hold your hand in front of your face.

Shake it until it becomes a blur.

It’s difficult to focus on your hand, isn't it?

now stop

Hold your hand still in front of your face again. 

This time, shake your head and not your hand.  But focus on your hand.

Notice something? Your hand remains in focus.

now stop

This is thanks to your inner ear, which is working with your visual system to stabilize your vision.

In space, this coordination is disrupted. Astronauts can feel disoriented as their balance system and eyes send conflicting signals to the brain, leading to motion sickness similar to what some experience on a boat or in a car.

Driven by a need to understand these effects in space, and I’m sure in part fueled by my childhood dreams, my team and I proposed a pioneering virtual reality system for the International Space Station.

We developed the "3D Space" virtual reality system to study the astronauts' processing of visual and other sensory cues in spaceflight. Our goal was to investigate changes in astronauts' performance in the unique environment of space and to gather insights that could inform the design of future space missions. "3D Space" was successfully operated on the International Space Station from 2008 to 2011, setting a precedent for the use of virtual reality in space exploration.

These stories of CosmoBot and 3D Space are not just narratives of technological triumph; they are stories of resilience, of the relentless pursuit of a vision, and of the unwavering belief in the power of innovation.

As you stand ready to shape the future, remember that the technologies of today—sensors, virtual reality, robotics, and artificial intelligence—are your tools. But these tools, as advanced as they may be, require your creativity, your innovation, and your humanity.

YOU ARE ALL PIONEERS, ARTISTS, CREATORS, & INVENTORS. You are not mere spectators in the age of technology; You have the power to use these tools not just to witness change, but to drive it.

There’s a saying that the best way to predict the future is to create it. So, I challenge you today: envision the future you want to see and use all of the tools at your disposal to bring it to life.

Congratulations, graduates. Go out there and invent the future—one that is equitable, joyful, and deeply human.

Thank you and Pura Vida!