The annual MARS conference, hosted by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is a cross-domain event aimed at sharing ideas across the rapidly growing fields of Machine Learning, Automation, Robotics, and Space. Hands-on learning and emerging technology demonstrations form the majority of the invitation-only event, with opportunities for attendees to meet and learn from each other.

For James, a notable display at this year’s conference was the Czinger 21C, developed using 3D printing. With 1,350 combined horsepower and weighing 2,756 lbs (1,250kg), it is the fastest production car in the world and has set the production car lap records at Laguna Seca and Circuit of the Americas. The car’s styling and performance are off the charts impressive, but it’s also a real study in how 3D printing allows the production of far lighter and yet still very stiff components. It’s a work of art.

Below are highlights from March 24 through 26, 2024. Click any image for a larger view, or click the position to view the location on a map. And a map with our most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps.

3/24/2024

Ojai Valley Inn Position: 34°26.39’N, -119°15.53’W The wonderful private patio off James’ room at Ojai Valley Inn, CA for the 2024 MARS conference.

Jeanette Epps Position: 34°26.25’N, -119°15.56’W A real-time video conference from the stage at MARS 2024 with astronaut Jeanette Epps on the International Space Station.

3/25/2024

Honda CRV Position: 47°37.05’N, -122°20.60’W While James was away at the MARS conference, Jennifer took our Honda Passport in for regular maintenance and returned home in a loaner CRV. The CRV has similar styling, features and controls as the Passport, so feels very familiar, but is a smaller vehicle that overall seems less capable and well-appointed.

Onward Medical Position: 34°26.24’N, -119°15.56’W Onward Medical founders Jocelyne Bloch and Gregoire Courtine presenting at the MARS 2024 conference on their groundbreaking work to allow quadriplegic patients to walk again. Their technology uses brain-controlled electrodes that communicate directly with the limbs, bypassing the damaged portion of the spine.

Hybrid Mobility Robot Position: 34°26.29’N, -119°15.60’W Revolute Robotics Hybrid Mobility Robot at the 2024 MARS conference. With a durable exoskeleton and the ability to fly, or roll to save energy, the robot is designed to navigate confined spaces and operate extreme environments.

WORMS Position: 34°26.28’N, -119°15.60’W Walking Oligomeric Robotic Mobility System (WORMS) at the 2024 MARS conference. The system is designed by MIT’s Space Resources Workshop to reduce robot proliferation in space by allowing astronauts to build task-specific robots from articulating parts that resemble arms, legs and backbones. When the task is completed, the robot can be disassembled and built into a new one for a different job.

Czinger 21C Position: 34°26.26’N, -119°15.62’W A Czinger 21C, developed using 3D printing, on display at the 2024 MARS conference. With 1,350 combined horsepower and weighing 2,756 lbs (1,250kg), it is the fastest production car in the world and has set the production car lap records at Laguna Seca and Circuit of the Americas. The Czinger 21C has a top speed of 235 mph (378 kph) and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 1.88 seconds. Compared to a Formula 1 car, the Czinger’s top speed is similar and the acceleration faster.

Czinger 21C Rear Frame Position: 34°26.26’N, -119°15.62’W The Czinger 21C’s frame shows the power of 3D printing, where great stiffness can be obtained through structural complexity rather than thickness of materials.

3/26/2024

Czinger 21C Interior Position: 34°26.26’N, -119°15.62’W The unusual interior of the Czinger 21C places the passenger behind the driver. This configuration allows a body with far less drag at speed.

Kevin Czinger Position: 34°26.26’N, -119°15.62’W James with Divergent 3D CEO Kevin Czinger. Divergent 3D printed most of the mechanical components in the Czinger 21C parked behind Kevin and James. The car’s styling and performance are off the charts impressive but it’s also a real study in how 3D printing allows the production of far lighter and yet still very stiff components. It’s a work of art.

Self-Playing Guitar Position: 34°26.16’N, -119°15.35’W A Kuzma self-playing guitar by engineer Micheal Kuzma that can play any song, on display at the 2024 MARS conference. The first Kuzma was delivered in January of this year after seven years of development.

Overland AI Position: 34°26.26’N, -119°15.60’W A OneDrive system, designed by Seattle startup Overland AI, installed in an all-terrain vehicle at the 2024 MARS conference. The OneDrive system allows any vehicle to be deployed off-road autonomously.

Drone Light Show Position: 34°26.24’N, -119°15.61’W The conference logo spelled in the sky during a drone light show on the final evening of the MARS 2024 conference.

Click the travel log icon on the left to see these locations on a map. And a map of our most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps.