Join us! Thing PDX - Create AI and Voice UI w/o Alexa , IoT BBQ Unveil!

Dear Thingsters,

Apologies again for the delay in putting the details up, but I have been furiously busy trying to land my next gig! There is so much shifting around going on in the industry that in twice in the last six weeks the roles I have been lining up for have been re-org’ed out. Crazy stuff and once again traveling out of town to talk to companies. Hence, this notice is late and I would be soooooo grateful if you could help spread the word to let others know :-)

All excuses aside, let's get on with what we have lined up for you next week

“Mycroft AI and AI's place in IoT's Future”

( or Make your own Alexa Style Voice UI with Open Source and no restrictions) - Karl Fezer, AI Engineer, Mycroft.ai)

I was very excited to get this submission for this month's talk. On the heels of a great kickstarter project, the AI and voice UI has been spun out into its own open source project. It provides the same level of acuity as would say Amazon Alexa could provide but without the really limiting restrictions that are enforced to keep Alexa consistent and “brand compliant”. There have been 1000 ideas or hacks I would've wanted to implement, but have been so far restricted by the development environment for Alexa. It looks like Mycroft could provide a path beyond those restrictions and we are proud to have one of the projects principles coming to deliver a talk. And of course it works on a Raspberry Pi… so come learn, hack and get your next product going…

Unveiling of IOT barbecue prototype – Ben West, CEO – Spark

Ben spoke last month, the uber altruistic founder of Ecozoom Stoves which are now in 30% of all Rwandan homes (and more) making a huge difference to the energy budget and more importantly saving children's lives from pulmonary disease. It's so awesome to have a Portland entrepreneur making such a good difference in the world.

Last month he covered the concept of his IOT connected barbecue and the business model potential around it. This month, at my urging, he is unveiling the first prototype to the local community. Unfortunately, we will not be able to fire it up but he will have details of where and when you'll be able to see it in action and taste the goods :-)

There are two phrases out there which sum up why I have this talk: “the prototype is a conversation with an idea” and “a single prototype can replace a thousand meetings”.

Come see and enjoy!

( No food sponsors but there is a Taco place next door and also food carts - I recommend the Burrito place most to the right as you look at the carts.)

Please, please please spread the word in your networks and see you next week.

All the best,

Surj.