This week’s Amazon re:MARS event spotlighted cutting edge technologies, including machine learning, automation, robotics and space exploration.

Machine learning, in particular, has seen advanced by leaps and bounds recently, and one such project is Amazon Web Services Inc.’s DeepRacer program.

“DeepRacer is the fastest way to get hands-on with machine learning,” said Mike Miller (pictured), director of artificial intelligence/machine learning devices at AWS. “We designed it as a way for developers to have fun while learning about this particular machine learning technique called reinforcement learning, which is using a simulation to teach the robot to learn via trial and error. DeepRacer includes a 3D racing simulator, where you can train your model via trial and error.”

Miller spoke with theCUBE industry analyst John Furrier at Amazon re:MARS 2022, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed DeepRacer and how it’s leveling the barrier of entry into machine learning. (* Disclosure below.)

Hardware and software in perfect unison

DeepRacer is a combination of 3D modeling and machine learning software with actual hardware: a 1/18 scale race car replica. The program is designed to teach those interested about reinforcement learning, a more advanced field in machine learning where the computer understands complex behaviors without requiring any labeled training data and can make short-term decisions while optimizing for a longer-term goal.

“It includes the physical car, so you can take the model that you trained in the cloud and download it to this 1/18th-scale RC car that’s been imbued with an extra sensor,” Miller explained. “So we have a camera on the front, we’ve got an extra Intel x86 processor inside … and this thing will drive itself autonomously around the track.”

Although the project was originally envisioned as a launchpad for enthusiast developers looking to learn machine learning, DeepRacer has spawned into something much larger, drawing a crowd from companies looking to build collaborations within teams and even the e-sports community.

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of the Amazon re:MARS event:

(* Disclosure: This is an unsponsored editorial segment. However, theCUBE is a paid media partner for Amazon re:MARS. AWS and other sponsors of theCUBE’s event coverage have no editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE