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.

MARS usually is held outside Santa Barbara, California but this year’s event took place at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, with one day spent on the Space Coast at the Valiant Air Command Warbird museum and the Kennedy Space Center.

We arrived into Orlando a day early for the conference to spend a day at Walt Disney World. We only had time for one of the four theme parks there, and picked EPCOT. We’d visited there once way back in 1993, but many of the attractions were new since then. We had a great day at Disney World, and James really enjoyed the MARS conference the following week, particularly the space displays and the many vehicle- and transport-oriented demonstrations.

Below are highlights from March 22nd through 26th, 2025. 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.

3/22/2025

Kingsley Lake Position: 29°57.88’N, -81°59.88’W Although it looks manmade, Kingsley Lake in northern Florida is in fact a natural formation. The nearly perfect circle is a water-filled sinkhole. We’re heading to Orlando for James to attend the 2025 MARS conference, highlighting advances in Machine learning, Automation, Robotics, and Space.

Orlando Airport Position: 28°25.66’N, -81°18.10’W Riding the train at the Orlando airport.

Four Seasons Position: 28°24.19’N, -81°32.76’W Our home for the next few days at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World.

House-Made Pasta Position: 28°24.15’N, -81°32.76’W Checking out the house-made pasta while we wait for our table at Ravello in the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World.

Ravello Position: 28°24.14’N, -81°32.76’W A delicious meal with house-made past at Ravello in the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World.

Water Features Position: 28°24.14’N, -81°32.77’W View to the fountain and reflecting pool from the terrace bar at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World.

3/23/2025

EPCOT Position: 28°22.56’N, -81°32.97’W We arrived into Orlando a day early for the 2025 MARS conference to spend a day at Disneyworld. We only had time for one of the four theme parks there, and picked EPCOT. Just inside the entrance is the geodesic sphere which has been a symbol of the park since it opened in 1982. Science fiction writer Ray Bradbury contributed to the design of the sphere, and the Spaceship Earth ride inside it.

Iguazu Falls Position: 28°22.35’N, -81°33.16’W The first ride we took the flight motion simulator Soarin’ Around the World, which uses a mechanical lift system and artificial wind and scents to effectively simulate a hang-gliding trip over dramatic locations around the planet. We’d been to a surprising number of the places included in the ride, including Igazua Falls in South America.

Lunch Position: 28°22.45’N, -81°32.95’W A tasty lunch on a terrace between rides at Disneyworld.

Guardians of the Galaxy Position: 28°22.49’N, -81°32.86’W Guardians of the Galaxy is themed after the Marvel movies of the same name. The ride opened in 2022 at an estimated cost of $500 million, making it the most expensive amusement park ride ever constructed. The visuals were impressive and the ride was thrilling, particularly a roller coaster section that simulated space travel by going backwards in the dark.

Mission: Mars Position: 28°22.43’N, -81°32.78’W On the Mission: Mars ride, guests are seated in an enclosed pod for a simulated launch into space en route to Mars. The ride uses a centrifuge to reach a G-force of 2.5, which is pretty shocking if you’re not expecting it.

Stroller parking Position: 28°22.47’N, -81°33.07’W It’s a slow time of year, but the massive stroller parks in front of every attraction give a clue to the large number of people in each building.

Canada Pavilion Position: 28°22.31’N, -81°33.06’W Canadian flag and Canada geese topiary outside the Canada Pavilion at EPCOT.

Monorail Position: 28°24.32’N, -81°34.78’W Our final “ride” at Disneyworld was on the monorail to the Disney transportation center, where we got a cab back to our hotel. The monorail ride was enjoyable, giving us an elevated view to EPCOT and the surrounding area.

Sunset Position: 28°24.19’N, -81°32.76’W Sunset view across the Four Seasons Resort Orlando property from our hotel room balcony. In the foreground is the resort’s 5-acre (2-ha) water park.

3/24/2025

TA-4J Skyhawk Position: 28°31.08’N, -80°47.67’W A former Blue Angels TA-4J Skyhawk on display at the Valiant Air Command Warbird museum, where portions of the 2025 MARS conference were held. The Blue Angels flight exhibition team flew the TA-4J Skyhawk from the 1970s through to the late 1980s, when they transition to the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet.

F1/10 Autonomous Racing Position: 28°31.09’N, -80°47.67’W The University of Virginia’s F1/10 Autonomous Racing vehicles can reach speeds over 30mph. Students build, drive, and race the 1/10 scale models to understand the interlocking concerns of performance, control, and safety for autonomous systems, in particular autonomous vehicles.

Duality Engine Position: 28°31.09’N, -80°47.68’W Astro Mechanica’s electric combined-cycle engine, Duality, at the 2025 MARS conference. The engine is designed to operate efficiently from takeoff through to Mach 3+, to enable the transport of people and payloads worldwide within hours.

Indy Autonomous Challenge Position: 28°31.07’N, -80°47.68’W The official vehicle of the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), an AV-24, is a modified version of the Dallara Indy NXT chassis. The goal of the IAC program is to inspire the next generation of STEM talent and challenge university students world-wide to create innovative automated vehicle software.

Firefighting Robot Position: 28°31.13’N, -80°47.69’W A Shark Robotics Colossus heavy firefighting robot climbing stairs, with a firehose trailing behind, at the 2025 MARS conference. The robot can climb inclines up to 45° and operate autonomously for up to 12 hours.

ATMO Position: 28°31.50’N, -80°46.92’W CalTech’s ATMO (aerially transforming morphobot) can both fly and drive. Unlike other morphing robots, this one can transform to land operation while still in flight, making it less likely to become stuck on landing in difficult terrain.

Apollo 14 Command Module Position: 28°36.29’N, -80°40.20’W The Apollo 14 Command Module, on display at the Kennedy Space Center. The 2025 MARS conference Monday-night dinner was held here underneath a massive Saturn V rocket.

Fireworks Position: 28°24.19’N, -81°32.76’W Evening fireworks at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, viewed from our room at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando.

3/25/2025

Reflection Fountain Position: 28°24.12’N, -81°32.76’W The Reflection Fountain at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando where the 2025 MARS conference is being held. The resort was tastefully decorated, with several good restaurants and bars. We quite enjoyed our stay here and would happily return.

Field AI Position: 28°24.11’N, -81°32.72’W A Field-AI robot on stage at the 2025 MARS conference. Unlike many robotics companies who focus on the vertical hardware and software stack, Field AI produces AI software for 3rd-party designed and manufactured robots.

Self-playing Piano Position: 28°23.98’N, -81°32.87’W A Shigeru Kawai self-playing piano at the 2025 MARS conference.

Evening Concert Position: 28°24.00’N, -81°32.98’W The 2025 MARS conference ended with a live music concert during the Magic Kingdom fireworks display.

Fountain Position: 28°24.00’N, -81°32.83’W Magical scene with an orange-lit fountain and blue-lit trees reflecting in still waters off the Four Seasons Resort Orlando Golf Club.

3/26/2025

Pathfinder Reservoir Position: 42°13.50’N, -106°57.03’W The Pathfinder Reservoir in Wyoming, viewed on our flight back to Seattle from Orlando. The reservoir was created in 1909 with the complete of the Pathfinder Dam, currently included in the National Register of Historic Places.

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.