Trevor Blackwell
Encyclopedia
Trevor Blackwell is a computer programmer
, engineer
and entrepreneur
based in Silicon Valley
.
Blackwell is a developer of humanoid robots. He is also the inventor of the Eunicycle
, essentially a one-wheeled Segway
. Dr. Blackwell is the founder and CEO of Anybots
and a partner at Y Combinator
.
and received a BEng in 1992, then studied Computer Science
at Harvard University
and received a PhD in 1998. His dissertation applied randomized methods to analyzing the performance of networks and compilers.
During graduate school Blackwell joined Viaweb
for which he wrote the image rendering, order processing and statistics software. The company was acquired by Yahoo in 1998, and Blackwell moved to Silicon Valley
to lead the Yahoo Store development group.
He founded Anybots
in 2001 to build teleoperated humanoid robots. In 2006 Anybots announced a humanoid robot that walks and balances like people do, without depending on large feet for stability.
As side projects, he has built two other balancing vehicles: a two-wheeled balancing scooter similar to the Segway but with different steering, and the self-balancing Eunicycle
. Several hobbyists have built vehicles based on the open design
of the machine.
He was a co-founder of Y Combinator
in 2005.
Programmer
A programmer, computer programmer or coder is someone who writes computer software. The term computer programmer can refer to a specialist in one area of computer programming or to a generalist who writes code for many kinds of software. One who practices or professes a formal approach to...
, engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
based in Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
.
Blackwell is a developer of humanoid robots. He is also the inventor of the Eunicycle
Eunicycle
A Eunicycle is a computer controlled, partially self-balancing, motorized unicycle invented by Trevor Blackwell. It uses a computer control system similar to the one used by the Segway HT that servos its wheel to balance itself by keeping the contact point of the wheel below the center of mass of...
, essentially a one-wheeled Segway
Segway PT
The Segway PT is a two-wheeled, self-balancing transportation machine invented by Dean Kamen. It is produced by Segway Inc. of New Hampshire, USA. The name "Segway" is a homophone of "segue" while "PT" denotes personal transporter....
. Dr. Blackwell is the founder and CEO of Anybots
Anybots
Anybots Inc. is a robotics company founded in 2001 by Trevor Blackwell. It is located in Mountain View, CA.- QA :QA, debuted at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show is the first of Anybots' two telepresence Robots. QA, a , robot, balances on two wheels, like a Segway, has 5-Megapixel cameras, two...
and a partner at Y Combinator
Y Combinator
Y Combinator is an American seed-stage startup funding firm, started in March 2005. Y Combinator provides seed money, advice, and connections at two 3-month programs per year...
.
Life and career
Blackwell grew up in Saskatoon, Canada. Blackwell studied engineering at Carleton UniversityCarleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
and received a BEng in 1992, then studied Computer Science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
and received a PhD in 1998. His dissertation applied randomized methods to analyzing the performance of networks and compilers.
During graduate school Blackwell joined Viaweb
Viaweb
Viaweb was a web-based application that allowed users to build and host their own online stores with little effort and technical expertise, directly from their own web browser. The eponymous company was started in July 1995 by Paul Graham, Robert Morris, and Trevor Blackwell. Graham claims that...
for which he wrote the image rendering, order processing and statistics software. The company was acquired by Yahoo in 1998, and Blackwell moved to Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
to lead the Yahoo Store development group.
He founded Anybots
Anybots
Anybots Inc. is a robotics company founded in 2001 by Trevor Blackwell. It is located in Mountain View, CA.- QA :QA, debuted at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show is the first of Anybots' two telepresence Robots. QA, a , robot, balances on two wheels, like a Segway, has 5-Megapixel cameras, two...
in 2001 to build teleoperated humanoid robots. In 2006 Anybots announced a humanoid robot that walks and balances like people do, without depending on large feet for stability.
As side projects, he has built two other balancing vehicles: a two-wheeled balancing scooter similar to the Segway but with different steering, and the self-balancing Eunicycle
Eunicycle
A Eunicycle is a computer controlled, partially self-balancing, motorized unicycle invented by Trevor Blackwell. It uses a computer control system similar to the one used by the Segway HT that servos its wheel to balance itself by keeping the contact point of the wheel below the center of mass of...
. Several hobbyists have built vehicles based on the open design
Open design
Open design is the development of physical products, machines and systems through use of publicly shared design information. The process is generally facilitated by the Internet and often performed without monetary compensation...
of the machine.
He was a co-founder of Y Combinator
Y Combinator
Y Combinator is an American seed-stage startup funding firm, started in March 2005. Y Combinator provides seed money, advice, and connections at two 3-month programs per year...
in 2005.