Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

You’re invited to a party! And it just may be one of the best events you’ll ever attend.

Artists, families, makers, hobbyists, startups and anyone who enjoys being wowed by seriously cool robots are welcome to attend Silicon Valley Robotics’ Big Robot Block Party, coming up in April.

“There’s always something new, that I don’t know about yet,” says futurist and Silicon Valley Robotics Managing Director Andra Keay.

Nonprofit Silicon Valley Robotics hosts the Big Robot Block Party annually, during National Robotics Week. The goal: to include everyone in a free, fun and engaging celebration of robots.

The 2023 Big Robot Block Party runs from 10 am to 4 pm, that Saturday, April 8th at Circuit Launch in Oakland. Here’s the link for free tickets.

Robot races are on the program. So are art exhibits, tech talks, robot demos, great food, a jobs fair, networking…

And you don’t have to be “technical” to have a great time. But you may still wind up with a new career interest.

“Robotics is a lot more accessible than we think,” says Andra, whose credentials also include serving as Vice-President of Global Robotics at AMT, as an advisor to Circuit Launch and as the founder of Women in Robotics. And, she says, a wide variety of skills–including those in the arts–will be needed in the robotics industry in the future.

Andra shared the story of the Big Robot Block Party, gave an intriguing look at the history of robots (who knew they went that far back?) discussed some of the unique ways the past Robot Block Party has showcased robots, and offered a preview of some of this year’s exhibitors and events.

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• How Andra first discovered her passion for robots;

• Where you might like to start, at the Big Robot Block Party, if you’d like to create a robot of your own!;

• The story of the Big Robot Block Party;

• A preview of some of this year’s exhibits and activities;

• A closer look at some of the robots that will be onsite (including a robotic VR experience!);

• How one entrepreneur put robotics to work to create a captivating, customized pop-up experience during last year’s party;

• What one of the exhibiting artists will be creating, using robotics;

• A tempting preview of the food!;

• How to support Silicon Valley Robotics and the programs they support;

• How the future job market may look, due to robotics.