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I was fortunate to visit this home that has a fabulous view. I love these purple skies.

I recently went to Kshitij, a 3-day conference that is organized by students. Program is similar to ITP, but heavier on the engineering side. Here are some student projects:

Braille Keyboard

Networked Vending Machine

Agriculture Device

Wireless Military Bot

Robotix is a popular competition among IIT Kharagpur students. There are 390 entries, and over the course of three days, the 390 are eliminated to 32, then 2, and then 1. Most of the competitors stay up overnight tweaking their bots.

This parking structure is converted to an all-night bot lab.

Students tweak their bots on this practice route.

HP sponsors the preliminaries.

The finals...

The terrain (e.g. water, sand) is revealed on the same day of competition. The bots are timed on 2 laps with a 15 second pit stop in between the laps.

Also at Kshitij, Nick Sears exhibited UltraOrb, which was his thesis project:

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Globe4D exhibited was this globe where you can move through a fourth dimension, time. Makes learning about climate change engaging.

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Pyromania is a really amazing Israeli dancing team that uses fire in their acts.

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Jimmy Wales (one of the most influential people) of Wikipedia introduced the Wikia.

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Magician Jason Latimer performed some unique tricks using laser technology.

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Astrophysicist, Professor and Author of The Physics of Star Trek, Lawrence Krauss. Interesting theories that challenge some of Einstein's theories.

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Dr. Eric Drexler, an expert in the field of nanotechnology, encourage the use of sensors and computing in materials (i.e. roads that are composed of solar panels).

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Robogarage exhibited robots that move almost as smooth as humans.

A little irony. This photograph was taken in India.

Textile design in India is pretty beautiful. Most of the pashmina scarves were woven with a loom, and which had a lot of intricate details and complex color schemes. You can also see this in traditional saris. This vendor was gracious enough to wait for us to finish our tour of the museum.

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Jewerly design

I was really impressed with this bracelet, which I couldn't zoom in close enough. The bracelets are made of interlocking miniature U-shaped gold rings that have ruby gems embedded on the ends. When looking at it, you're not sure where the designer started. Also, the bracelet looks hand-crafted.

These are pear-shaped, multi-faceted cut, Indian topaz earrings.

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Loved the motif on this silver box.

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Engraved sculptures made out of precious woods and stones. One of these sculptures had a heavy sandalwood scent because it was carved out of sandalwood. Some are carved crystals, ivory and jade.

I've ever stayed at. The Hyatt Hotel in Kolkata/Calcutta offers excellent service, but the interior design and design is beautiful. Integrates many materials and textures in one space, which is so seamless. Everything works. Found out that this hotel was designed by a firm in Florida.

This were elegant lanterns. Light emits through the carved wood.

Ambient lighting changes from day to night. During the day, soft light illuminates to emulate sunlight. At night, the soft light changes color to blue. Recessed blue LED's in the floor.

Also recessed wall lighting...

Texture using layers of glass...

I like the stainless steel, transparent bowls holding the colorful fruit, which is used for decorative purposes.

This a display for a bar, which has may wines and books backlit.

Landscape architecture and pools design.

Textured walls with abstract art.

and hotel lobby...

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This might be cheesy, but I may take this idea and line the inside walls of my vase with tropical leaves.