X, The Moonshot Factory

3 Billion people still lack access to the internet.? In Episode Two of The Moonshot Podcast, “Essential Connections”, Astro Teller dives into X’s decade-long mission to bring fast, reliable and affordable connectivity to people everywhere. Salvatore Candido and Nick Kohli take you behind the scenes of Loon, the audacious attempt to use stratospheric balloons to beam the internet to rural and remote places, and Mahesh Krishnaswamy and Strive Masiyiwa share how Loon’s legacy lives on in Taara — a novel way to deliver connectivity over long distances using beams of light. ?????? An unlikely story that features balloons in jail, monkeys causing mischief, and a digital leap over the world’s deepest river.? ?? Don’t miss it next Monday, March 17 ?? https://lnkd.in/gk-JCJtH

"When you're trying to do something that has never been done before, you need to approach those problems in ways that have never been approached before – which means you need an interdisciplinary group of thinkers and minds to perturb your existing thought patterns." …and that’s a wrap on our live recording of The Moonshot Podcast at #SXSW! X Captain of Moonshots Astro Teller joined makers and luminaries Nicholas Thompson, Dr. Catie Cuan, and Adam Savage for a conversation about the art and science of innovation—and how engineering and artistry are two sides of the same creative coin. ?? Stay tuned for the full episode coming soon. Until then, check out our debut episode of The Moonshot Podcast here (and on all major streaming platforms): https://lnkd.in/gvnBRM93

Thanks so much for hosting and a great conversation, Nicholas Thompson! Looking forward to sharing more from this SXSW live recorded episode of The Moonshot Podcast. #SXSW

?? Now live! The Moonshot Podcast! ?? The Moonshot Podcast debuts today with the first episode, "Driving the Future." Fifteen years ago, the world thought self-driving cars were impossible—even the experts doubted it. Today, they’re on the road. In this inaugural episode of The Moonshot Podcast, go inside The Moonshot Factory to discover the early days of Waymo self-driving cars and Wing autonomous drone delivery. Host and Captain of Moonshots Astro Teller meets Sebastian Thrun, co-founder of X, to revisit the origin story of the moonshot lab and, with leaders from Waymo, Wing, and X (Andrew Chatham, Margaret Stewart Nagle, André Prager, and Joseph Sargent), explores what’s next for driverless cars and drone delivery. A Blanchard House production, The Moonshot Podcast is now available on all major streaming platforms: https://lnkd.in/gvnBRM93 #Innovation #lifeatthemoonshotfactory #waymo #wing #moonshots

The first episode of the Moonshot Podcast drops on Monday! ?? “Driving the Future” explores the origins of Waymo self-driving cars and?Wing drone delivery — two futuristic, far-fetched ideas that have evolved into exciting, emerging businesses. Or as Astro Teller, X Captain of Moonshots, said to Waymo co-founder Sebastian Thrun: "Fifteen years ago, you were dubious this would ever happen.” Astro and Sebastian revisit the founding of The Moonshot Factory, and Astro speaks with Andrew Chatham from Waymo and Margaret Stewart Nagle and André Prager from Wing to learn what’s next for driverless cars and drone delivery. ?? Tune in on Monday, March 10, for the debut episode on all major streaming platforms. ?? https://lnkd.in/g5NaN7Dz

??? X’s Moonshot Podcast is going LIVE at #SXSW! Be part of a special live recording of X’s new Moonshot Podcast next Monday, March 10th, 10:00–11:00 AM at The Thompson Hotel. Join Adam Savage, Astro Teller, Dr. Catie Cuan, and Nicholas Thompson as they explore how creativity, curiosity, and a maker's spirit can transform bold ideas into reality. Don't miss this gathering of innovators and artists as they share how imagination and prototyping are some of our most powerful tools for tackling global challenges. ?? Event details: https://lnkd.in/gBBP7rx2

“Taara’s technology could trigger the same kind of transformation that we saw when data storage moved from tape drives to disk drives to our current solid-state devices.” - Astro Teller X’s Captain of Moonshots spoke with WIRED’s Editor-At-Large Steven Levy about Taara’s new silicon photonic chip and what it could mean for the future of connectivity. Learn more about the technology and team’s journey on the X blog: https://lnkd.in/gWmzwgBb

“Since then, I made it my life's mission to find ways to bring people like me online.” Mahesh Krishnaswamy, founder of Taara, spoke with WIRED’s Editor-At-Large,?Steven Levy,?about his passion for connectivity and his team’s groundbreaking new technology: the Taara Chip. Learn more about what Taara’s silicon photonic chip could signal for the future of connectivity and beyond: https://lnkd.in/ga6ir3Jy

?? Introducing the Moonshot Podcast! ?? To celebrate 15 years of moonshot taking we’re taking you inside the moonshot factory – giving you unprecedented access to the messy, exhilarating journey of turning science fiction into reality. Meet the inventors and creators who are inspired to tackle the near impossible. Hear the backstory about the origins of self-driving cars, drone delivery, wildfire prediction, and so much more. Listen to The Moonshot Podcast, from March 10, wherever you get your podcasts. https://lnkd.in/gdM5bK65

“Technology is not only a tool that takes people online. It opens up spaces for people to feel a sense of belonging, and a sense of finding opportunities that are currently hidden from them.” - Alphonce Odhiambo of Tanda Community Network The community of Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya, struggles with reliable essential services such as health care, education, and internet access. In recent years, residents have established several community networks—telecom infrastructures that are built, owned, and operated by the communities themselves—in an effort to bring connectivity to the area. The team at Taara, X’s moonshot for connectivity, is partnering with community networks in the region in order to provide abundant, fast, reliable internet access using beams of light. As a result, the day-to-day lives of Kibera’s students, entrepreneurs, and residents are transforming for the better. Here’s how: https://lnkd.in/grNJ8tG6