Background on the Speaker and his Talk

From 1983 to 1991, high-tech nomad Steven K. Roberts pedaled 17,000 miles around the United States on a computerized and networked recumbent bicycle, the BEHEMOTH (Big Electronic Human-Energized Machine, Only Too Heavy). Now, Roberts has retired the $1.2 million BEHEMOTH to build a pair of canoe-based amphibian pedal/solar/sail trimarans known as Microships. This fall, the bike goes on permanent loan to Computer History Museum; in early 2001, Roberts and his partner, Natasha, will launch a multi-year expedition throughout the United States aboard their tiny Linux-powered boatlets.

Prior to Steve's life as a technomad, he owned a consulting engineering business in the Midwest and published three books on microprocessors and industrial control system design. Steve's once-radical notion of "nomadic connectivity" has become a trend as computer and communication tools become ever smaller and more powerful.

During his talk, Roberts will present the BEHEMOTH on stage along with other work in progress. The machines will be discussed in broad detail, with close attention to the myriad conflicting design issues that drove the design process. Integration of a multilayered computer system into a tiny mobile platform created all sorts of interesting challenges, not the least of which was maintaining effective physical interface while dealing with a potentially fatal real-time physical environment. Additional design effort blended the substrates themselves with wireless network architecture, automated data collection and telemetry, solar power optimization, user interface design, audio/video routing, browser-based front end and communication tools, harsh-environment packaging, well-behaved embedded control systems, and more.

Roberts will discuss the growing phenomenon of technomadics, the blending of art and engineering, Internet collaboration, the critical importance of generalists in the design environment, and human factors issues in a complex multipurpose system, interspersed with tales of his bike-ride adventures.

From 101 North or South, take the 2nd Moffett Exit (Moffett Field) to the main entrance. Immediately after passing through the Guard Station, turn left onto Arnold Avenue. At Bush Circle, you will see the main administration building (Building N200) directly ahead. Veer right around the circle until you come to Building N201 (the Auditorium), which is immediately behind Building N200. Please note the one-way signs on base.

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