Event Location: Rashid Auditorium, 4401 Gates and Hillman Centers
Bio: Daniel H. Wilson is the New York Times bestselling author of the techno-thriller Robopocalypse, as well as titles such as How to Survive a Robot Uprising, A Boy and His Bot, and Amped. Wilson earned a Ph.D. in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University. He has published over a dozen scientific papers, holds four patents, and has written eight books. Five of his books have been optioned for film, with Robopocalypse (Doubleday, 2011) in development to be the next film directed by Steven Spielberg. In 2008, Wilson hosted his own TV series, The Works, which aired on the History Channel in the United States and internationally. He lives and writes in Portland, Oregon.

Teruko Yata was a postdoctoral fellow in the Robotics Institute from 2000 until her untimely death in 2002. After graduating from the University of Tsukuba, working under the guidance of Prof. Yuta, she came to the United States. At Carnegie Mellon, she served as a post-doctoral fellow in the Robotics Institute for three years, under Chuck Thorpe. Teruko’s accomplishments in the field of ultrasonic sensing were highly regarded and won her the Best Student Paper Award at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation in 1999. It was frequently noted, and we always remember, that “the quality of her work was exceeded only by her kindness and thoughtfulness as a friend.” Join us in paying tribute to our extraordinary colleague and friend through this most unique and exciting lecture.

A School of Computer Science Distinguished Lecture

Abstract: Science fiction has long had a strong influence on real-world research and development, shaping the look and behavior of new inventions. But, so too have new advances worked to shape authors’ sci-fi imaginings. From dystopia to utopia to boring old reality, how does the exchange of ideas between Hollywood and academia help prepare humankind for the disruptive changes that accompany brave new worlds of technology?