Throwback to Lily v0.1—our humanoid robot that could introduce itself, answer questions, and strut confidently through the halls.

In this video (from a year ago), Lily is smooth. Responsive. On it. Most of the time.

But here’s the thing I didn’t anticipate:

As Lily roamed the hallways of my 40-story building in downtown Miami (yes, we actually launched in Miami! 😊), I quickly realized that a humanoid robot saying “Watch out, coming through” or asking people for directions wasn’t exactly charming. It was… unsettling. People froze. Some bolted. A few looked genuinely concerned for their safety.

So yeah—I turned it off.

But that wasn’t the only oops moment.

A lot of Lily’s time was spent searching for stuff—apartment numbers, trays left in hallways, light bulbs that needed changing, debris by the pool. And honestly, having a humanoid slowly scan things like a confused tourist wasn’t the best use of time.

That’s when it clicked: humanoids (and robots in general) need better spatial awareness. Instead of each robot awkwardly mapping out an entire space on its own, why not build large-scale spatial models that they can just plug into?

So we pivoted. Now, we’re focused on building real-time spatial intelligence for complex spaces—so robots don’t have to figure it all out from scratch.

Lesson learned: humanoid robots with voices freak people out, but giving them large scale spatial awareness instead of just legs? That’s the real unlock.

(Watch the video and let me know what you think!)

Also, keep your eyes peeled on www.augustmille.ai for some really exciting news coming up!!!

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]]>AugustMille.aiAugust MilleSun, 02 Mar 2025 23:51:00 +0000https://www.tariteme.com/write/humanoid-robots-are-still-stuck-in-small-spaces64cea326f7087475c84d093e:653ff5cc37a53f5267e986ad:67ccd7e70901cb376083a8aeThey can fetch a remote, pick up objects, and move around a room—but the moment they step into an unfamiliar environment, they’re lost. No spatial intelligence means no large-scale autonomy.

At AugustMille, we’re changing that with Large Spatial Models (LSMs)—enabling humanoid robots to search, navigate, and interact in real-world indoor environments, from single apartments to 40-story buildings, without pre-mapping, labels, or costly infrastructure.

More to share soon. Meanwhile, see video below for Lily casually waltzing around my apartment 🙂

#robotics #AI #humanoids #autonomy #navigation #LargeSpatialModel

But what about bigger moves? 🚀 "Go downstairs and grab my delivery from your robot friend." 🏃 "Find my lost screwdriver across the building."

Yeah, we got that too.

The future isn’t just robots standing around—it’s robots moving, coordinating, and actually going places.

According to a report from Precedence Research, the market for Generative AI in the automotive sector is expected to grow from $312.48 million in 2022 to $2.7 billion by 2032, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 24.03%.

A sizable chunk of the growth in the automotive sector growth will stem from the "process" elements within the automotive value chain – enhancements in supply chain, logistics, and inventory management, along with innovations in automotive design.

However, significant opportunities will present in Autonomous Driving.

For instance, Generative AI, particularly the use of Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs) in conjunction with Structure From Motion (SfM) algorithms, is currently being utilized to create autonomous simulation environments from a few pictures or videos. Generative AI can also enhance aspects such as spatial awareness, decision-making, and control capabilities.

I find this application of Generative AI in the automotive industry fascinating due to its potential.

As an enthusiast who enjoys automobiles, it aligns with my deep passion for cars and cutting-edge technology, particularly autonomous vehicles. Moreover, it presents significant business opportunities in what is likely to be a growing market.

The intersection of these three pillars—personal interest, technological innovation, and market potential—is not only exciting but also truly compelling to me. These factors are part of the motivation behind AugustMille.

AugustMille is currently engaged in several projects in this area, notably using NeRFs and other algorithms to address real-world practical issues. More information will be provided as the work progresses.

Are you in the auto industry, inundated by claims that AI + ML + 8K + 5G will "revolutionize" your field?

Are you more interested in truly delighting your customers than in the technology used to do so?

Reach out at hello@augustmille.com

Generated by DALL.E

Experiencing a glitch that reveals an app's inner workings can be jarring.

For example, my Pixel phone's Google Photos app recently crashed, unexpectedly displaying a fallback interface reminiscent of Google BigQuery or Spanner. This brief, unrepeatable glitch momentarily made me question Google Photos' reliability in preserving my cherished memories, despite my trust in the app.

A similar glitch occurred with the "Google Home" Nest Doorbell's Live view. If I recall correctly, the app crashed and fell back to a Google Cloud Service (GCS) storage bucket view. 😢

These minor incidents underscore the importance of designing even for failure scenarios. A smooth and reassuring failure UI can help maintain user trust in the product.

Imagine finding out that your critical app is powered by a hamster on a wheel, or by Windows Vista 😳

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]]>Product ManagementGenerative AIAllTari TemeThu, 08 Feb 2024 20:29:09 +0000https://www.tariteme.com/write/superfunnel64cea326f7087475c84d093e:653ff5cc37a53f5267e986ad:65c536b96b9e976719acd1f6The Super Funnel

This tale's as common as they come: you throw everything you've got into creating something awesome, only to roll it out to...crickets.

That's the exact reason why I leverage this funnel strategy every chance I get—it's not about boxing anyone in, but about making sure the product doesn't just float aimlessly out there. It's about making a real connection, striking a chord with the people you're trying to reach. Imagine it as your trusty compass, guiding you through the wilds of product development, boosting your creativity instead of clipping its wings.

I’ve heard folks say, "It's too rigid. We gotta be fast, break things, shake things up!" But let's get real for a second: what are we actually gunning for? A quick hit of pride, or a product that's so on point, people can't help but whip out their wallets?

And to those pointing at companies that seemingly shot to the top without a plan, keep this in mind: a successful company’s mission is to create something that doesn't just get noticed; it gets bought. If a company skipped the strategic steps and still made it big, chances are:

1. They had an innate sense of the funnel game, intuitively knowing what works. That's fine for a startup, but when you're scaling, you gotta get those insights down on paper.

2. They were running on gut feelings about what the funnel needed. That's startup life, but you need to check those instincts against reality.

3. Maybe they've fostered a culture where the funnel's built into their DNA, with everyone knowing their bit without needing it spelled out.

4. Or, it's possible they're not actually “killing it” as much as it seems, risking a product that doesn't really light a fire under anyone.

5. Lastly, they might have the buffer to tweak and refine their approach, cycling through ideas until something sticks, or they figure it's a no-go.

At the end of the day, behind every win is someone—or a whole team—wrestling with these questions, finding the right fit.

My Philosophy: Writing it all down, sharing these nuggets of wisdom, is gold.

It clues in the newbies on why they're here and gives the vets a reminder of the big picture. While my funnel might look stiff to some, it's actually a playbook shared by the best in the biz, from the scrappiest startups to the giants. They all know their stuff, from the big picture down to the nitty-gritty, whether it's scribbled in a notebook or just part of the collective brainpower. ✍️🚀

I'm all about cutting through the buzz. That's precisely why I created the "Beyond the Hype" illustration (see below). It's designed to bring clarity, steering discussions from abstract ideas to actionable strategies. 💡

Beyond the Hype, by AugustMille

Sharing this in the hopes that it proves to be insightful.

Key takeaways:

1. Companies must navigate through the AI hype, focusing intently on their unique needs.

2. This involves identifying pivotal business challenges, aligning them with relevant AI use-cases, and evaluating the readiness of these AI solutions for specific business contexts.

In other news:

• 🌟 Discover a blend of business insights and my tech adventures at tariteme.com, like my journey creating a super-efficient and performant offline LLM for low-power edge devices. It's more than a website – it's a portal into my universe!

• 🌐 Diving into GenAI in Automation! Stay tuned on LinkedIn and tariteme.com for the latest updates and breakthroughs from this exhilarating exploration!
  

For those curious about the animation's creation, it was crafted using Blender, Python, and Davinci Resolve, inspired by Artem Kirsanov’s YouTube guide on science animations.

As someone who values minimalism and and who recently tried to use an iPad Pro for my on-the-road computing needs, I ran into significant hurdles when it came to transferring photos from my SD card to Dropbox.

Here's a breakdown of my normal workflow:

1. Capture moments on the go 📷

2. Store photos on SD cards 📸

3. Transfer them to Dropbox for safekeeping 📂

4. Carefully select and edit the best shots in Adobe Lightroom ✨

Now, here's where I ran into issues:

• The iPad's file management system, while functional, doesn't match the seamless experience I enjoy on my Mac 💻

• On my Mac, transferring files from the SD card to Dropbox on the computer is straightforward, and Dropbox then syncs them to the cloud 🚀

• On the iPad, however, it attempts to send files directly to the cloud, causing some inconveniences 🌧️

• During this transfer process, I can't remove the SD card or close my iPad without affecting the upload/sync progress 🚫

My proposed solution is simple: Apple should align the file management functionality on the iPad with the Mac; make the iPad’s file manager to be functionally identical to the Mac so that Apple users can quickly get up to speed.

Have any of you faced similar challenges while working on the road? I'd love to hear your thoughts and solutions. 🌐 #PhotographyWorkflow #iPadChallenges #TechTravel

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]]>Product ManagementGenerative AIAllTari TemeWed, 20 Sep 2023 16:25:00 +0000https://www.tariteme.com/write/genaiforemergentmarket64cea326f7087475c84d093e:653ff5cc37a53f5267e986ad:654155ddc7d438207fa6b026My father’s career in Geotechnical Engineering is nothing short of legendary. With over 40 years in industry, he's not exactly settling into a quiet retirement. Instead, he's still a go-to consultant in his field. His footprint at Teks Geotechnical Consulting is enormous, spanning over 400 diverse projects—from safeguarding coastlines to engineering intricate infrastructures. He's not a one-trick pony; he's left his mark across multiple sectors.

For years, my siblings and I have served on the company's board. I have had the unique opportunity to serve as Managing Director from an age that would surprise most—a story that deserves its own spotlight. While my younger self couldn't quite grasp my dad's ambitious vision for me, the path has been nothing short of transformative.

As time advanced, my dad has increasingly leaned on me for strategic oversight. While I've got the business aspects sorted, proficiency in geotechnical engineering—gained through years of hands-on exposure—still pales in comparison to my dad's unparalleled mastery.

So naturally, it's got me noodling over some big questions:

• How can I supercharge machine learning to not just scan TEKS’ 400+ project history, but also spit out actionable insights for new initiatives?

• What's the tech blueprint for bottling my dad's geotechnical wizardry into a slick, offline-friendly system that syncs with my day-to-day work?

• With spotty internet and diverse hardware out there, what tech choices will make this system a reliable workhorse on even a mid-tier laptop?

Big questions? Absolutely.

Introducing Teks Chat: a sleek, data-smart hub that not only lets me channel my dad's deep-seated expertise, but also dishes out actionable insights for our next strategic plays—all while humming fully offline on my M1 Mac.

Catch the magic in motion in the accompanying video:

Intrigued by the wizardry? Check out the link below for the nitty-gritty using the link below: Teks Chat using Llama2 with LocalGPT on Apple Silicon

Key Takeaways

1. Bridging Generations with AI: Walking a similar path as me? Good news: advances in machine learning have made it a breeze to digest hundreds of your company docs and spit out valuable insights for your next big move, anytime and anywhere.

2. Unlocking Next-Level AI on Everyday Hardware: If TEKS Chat can hum on an Apple M1/M2, just think what it could do with a beefed-up NVIDIA or AMD GPU! This isn't just nerd-speak. Right now, Llama 2 is the brains behind Meta's new Rayban shades, and large language models are the secret sauce in Apple's iOS 17 keyboard improvements. The kicker? Soon, offline LLMs will supercharge Apple Vision Pro's search and reasoning, likely running on a chip that's cousins with the M1/M2!

3. Meta’s AI Landscape: Meta's modular, multi-agent strategy has the potential to enhance how we think about AI. We're not just talking minor adjustments; we're on the edge of a massive transition from one-size-fits-all AI to custom-built agents, specialized for unique tasks and needs. Take WhatsApp's new AI Chats product as a case in point. AI agents in WhatsApp? Yep, it sounds unconventional, but it's happening. 🤷🏾‍♀️

4. Unleash Hyper-Personalization via cloud APIs: If you can afford even a touch of online access, think about opting for cloud-based Large Language Models like OpenAI, instead of sticking with an offline setup like mine using Llama2. This shift will turbocharge your system's performance, responsiveness, and overall user experience. It's a game-changer.

5. Mastering Context: The Unsung Genius of Large Language Models: The uncanny ability of ChatGPT to leverage historical context for laser-focused replies isn't just a neat feature—it's groundbreaking. You'll never truly appreciate the wizardry of computational efficiency in systems like ChatGPT until you've built your own Large Language Model. I'm endlessly in awe.

6. The Power and Potential of Open Source: Open source isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a game-changer that's turbocharging the evolution of Large Language Models. While I've laid out a streamlined setup tailored to my needs, the landscape of possibilities is vast and untapped. Whether it's optimizing through fine-tuning or exploring a treasure trove of specialized models and utilities (think Open Interpreter for on-the-fly Mac code execution), we're just scratching the surface.

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]]>Staying OrganizedAllTari TemeTue, 25 Jul 2023 15:16:00 +0000https://www.tariteme.com/write/stayingorganized64cea326f7087475c84d093e:653ff5cc37a53f5267e986ad:653ff5cc37a53f5267e986b0Resharing a recent response to a question: “How do you stay organized” ⚒️

• Notion: Ideas run wild here, no margins!

• Google Sheets: Prioritize based on impact and effort.

• Google Docs: Initial thoughts take shape.

• Jira: Engineering's compass.

Rule of thumb: Keep it simple, less tools, less bewilderment.

Remember, new tools, new chaos! 🌀

From startups to giants, this works like a charm.

Your organization arsenal?

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]]>Product ManagementAugmented RealityAllTari TemeMon, 15 May 2023 18:06:00 +0000https://www.tariteme.com/write/apple-visionpro64cea326f7087475c84d093e:653ff5cc37a53f5267e986ad:654153c6eea39a6030217e95Some folks (okay, fine. Two people. Two close relatives. The kind that help you plan family reunions) recently asked: "Why does Apple release something similar to Magic Leap but to much fanfare?”

My response: Well, family and family, I’m glad you sort my wise counsel.

Here’s my 2cents:

1. Dazzling Marketing: They know how to spin a tale that grabs people by their tech-loving hearts and tickles their fancy. They weave a story that combines the allure of a refined gadget with the practicality of a Swiss Army knife. Its an incredible skill.

2. Daring Product/Market Fit: When it comes to timing, they dance to their own beat. They'll release something even if the market isn't ready, but they'll make sure they have truckloads of cash (seriously, mountains of dinero) to keep tempting customers' desires alive until the world catches up. Patience is the name of the game. They'll also sometimes move to the beat coming from across the hallway. But, hey 🤷‍♂️

3. Epic Execution: Apple doesn't just execute their plans, they execute them like ninjas on a mission. They dot every i, cross every t, and make sure every single byte is perfectly polished, and that the product is available 'right away'. Because let's face it, if their "Spatial Computer" does not succeed, Siri might get ducking upset. And nobody wants that.

4. Formidable Distribution: Apple doesn't just send their products out into the world and hope for the best. Negative. They have an army of elves that knows exactly where their target audience is lurking, and they pounce at the perfect moment. And when they make contact, they don't just reach people—they mesmerize them. They've nailed the art of delight. They are pros at optical enigma — the Epic Eye of Focus.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming of sharing captivating LinkedIn soundbites.

As automation becomes increasingly significant in value chains, more abstract concepts arise.

For example, programming languages have transformed from assembly-language to imperative programming like C++. Declarative programming, like HTML, has evolved to prompt-based "programming" utilized by systems like AutoGPT.

Consequently, future generations may build careers based on their expertise in "prompt-based programming," while middle-aged individuals may upskill to remain competitive. Although some jobs might disappear, new possibilities might emerge. By embracing learning, cultivating adaptability, and mastering the art of balance, we can confidently navigate our future with optimism.

Tl;dr —> The kids will be alright.

I have been mentoring product managers and explaining the practical nature of creating roadmaps. Here's my advice:

- Short-term: Capture what people are doing.

- Mid-term: Capture what people are thinking.

- Long-term: Capture what people are dreaming.

Note that short-term roadmap items are often barely accomplished; mid and long-term goals may have to be abandoned.