Three Things: Dax, artificial intelligence and broadcaster - Philomath News
作者：Brad Fuqua, Philomath News
During the summer of 2017, local entrepreneur Joseph Sullivan brought a prototype of a robot into Philomath City Hall to pitch the idea of partnering with the city as his company moved forward.
Prior to the meeting, Sullivan had written the following in a letter:
“We would like to partner with the city of Philomath in promoting education, exploration and jobs growth by continuing our work here at home rather than in a bigger-sounding but perhaps less-lovable city elsewhere in the U.S. … The time has come to formally announce our existence and ask the question: Does Philomath want us here?”
Ultimately, the answer was yes and the city gave Nova Dynamics its blessing to use public streets for testing purposes, something that evolved into a home-delivery service from a handful of local businesses. The company had been working on Dax since 2015 through the Oregon State University Advantage Accelerator network. Patents were filed. Technology was developed.
Here we are 10 years later and Dax sightings continue around the community. The little robots have become a part of our lives.
“Urban service robots: Putting robots in the service of humanity” is what you’ll see right away on a visit to Daxbot’s website. Two models are displayed — sidewalk assessment robots and security robots.
This week, Cal Poly published a press release about how Daxbots are being used to improve accessibility. Three of the robots will be on the campus in San Luis Obispo, California, to evaluate pathways that someone with a disability could use to access buildings.
“These robots will make quick work of this extremely important process,” said Anthony Palazzo, executive director of Facilities Planning and Capital Projects at Cal Poly. “And they will help us continue our growth and evolution to becoming a more welcoming and accessible campus to everyone.”
Andy Craig, vice president of sales at Daxbot, was also quoted.
“Our robots take on the dirty, dull and dangerous parts of accessibility mapping while providing accurate and actionable data,” Craig said. “Bureau Veritas pairs the extensive sidewalk condition data we collect with its years of accessibility expertise to support the university’s accessibility goals. It’s a win for everyone.”
Bureau Veritas is a consulting firm that provides architectural, engineering, energy and environmental solutions.
I’ve noticed these types of stories popping up in other locations, including a couple of cities in Texas.
Dax has come a long way since that council meeting eight years ago. It will be interesting to see where Philomath’s little robot goes in the future.
2. A question for AI
The capabilities of artificial intelligence continue to evolve — which could be good or bad depending on how it’s used.
The use of AI in day-to-day life is becoming more common. Just a few weeks ago, a local resident shared the results of a water and sewer study that he had compiled through the help of artificial intelligence.
I’ve experimented with AI myself and have been amazed at how far the technology has advanced. But I’ve also been shocked about how some information comes back as simply incorrect. So from my perspective, it can’t be “trusted” to always deliver accurate results.
However, it can be fun to play around with it by asking various questions. Here’s a recent one that I asked:
“What is the best thing about living in Philomath, Oregon?”
And here’s the AI response:
“Philomath has several wonderful qualities that make it a great place to live! The area offers a perfect balance of small-town charm with access to larger amenities, since you’re just a short drive from Corvallis and the Oregon State University community.
“The natural setting is probably one of the biggest draws — you’re surrounded by the beautiful Coast Range foothills, with easy access to hiking trails, forests, and outdoor recreation. The Marys River runs nearby, and you’re within reasonable distance of both the coast and the Cascade Mountains for weekend adventures.
“The community itself tends to be close-knit and family-friendly, with good local schools and that classic small Oregon town feel where neighbors know each other. There’s also something special about being in the heart of the Willamette Valley, with its rich agricultural heritage and stunning seasonal changes.
“Plus, you get to enjoy Oregon’s general benefits — no sales tax, great local food and drink culture, and that laid-back Pacific Northwest lifestyle. The climate is mild compared to many places, though you do get your fair share of Oregon’s famous rain!”
3. Living the dream
A little more than three years ago, Blake Niemann was among 77 Philomath High graduates that received their diplomas. He was one of nine valedictorians in the Class of 2022 and in a Philomath News Q-and-A, he wrote the following:
“I ultimately hope to one day become a professional sports broadcaster for a major news or sports network.”
This past May, Blake graduated a year early from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism. Prior to earning his degree, Blake landed a nice job as a multimedia journalist at Fox 10 in Phoenix.
A few weeks ago, Blake was a double winner for the Cronkite School in the prestigious Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards. He won in the College Feature News Report category for “Grand Champion Family” and College Sports Story for “Football Player Tackles Challenges.”
On Sept. 10 at Fox 10, Blake helped his station get an interview with a student who was in attendance at the Turning Point USA event in Utah when Charlie Kirk was killed. Blake connected with Adam Hernandez, a 2021 PHS graduate, who helped him get in touch with his friend, Michael Maiorano, the college student who was interviewed.
(Brad Fuqua is publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He can be reached at News@PhilomathNews.com).
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