If you’re a tech CEO, entrepreneur, investor, or just wanting to nerd out, consider Capital Factory’s Future of Technology Lounge as your home away from home. Capital Factory is teaming up with partners, local and global, to create the tech connoisseur’s private oasis during festival-craziness. If fast wifi, comfy couches, and amazing people weren’t enough, we’ll also have the craziest, coolest tech Austin has to offer. VR, AI, Blockchain, drones, rovers… and one epic robot.

 

Future of Technology Lounge Events

With the coolest tech comes the coolest events. Check out these year-3000-style events happening in the Future of Technology Lounge at Capital Factory.

 

Friday, March 9, 2018

SXSW Startup Crawl

The Lounge will kick off with SXSW Startup Crawl on March 9th at 4pm. Grab a drink & some swag as you tour the latest & greatest of Austin’s startup community, culminating in the epic megastop at Capital Factory. This event is free & open to the entire startup community!

Time: 4:00 PM — 8:00 PM
Register: Open to the public

 

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Ready for Robots: Developing Drones and Rovers to Enhance Our Cities

Join Arm, NXP, and industry insiders at Capital Factory during SXSW for a reception and hour-long panel discussion on the societal benefits the latest drone and rover technology will bring to our cities and communities. Hear from leading experts at Dronecode, Hackster.io, RoboNation, SmartCities, and DroneSmith on this emerging industry. As a developer, programmer, engineer or business owner, join us and learn how to tap into this exciting market!

Time: 6:00 PM — 9:00 PM
Register: Open to the public

 

Monday, March 12, 2018

Digitalization in the New Reality

Join Shell TechWorks and Underminer Studios to explore and discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by the convergence of multiple new reality technologies and how an enterprise can capitalize on novel ways of digitizing information and workflows in this exciting new world.

Time: 2:00 PM — 3:00 PM
Register: Open to the public

 

The Rise of VR/AR: Spotlight on British Columbia

Representatives from the VR/AR Association, VR/AR Global Summit, Finger Food, Motive.io, and Archiact will discuss how Vancouver has transformed into a leading destination for tech innovation and VR/AR development.

Time: 4:00 PM — 6:00 PM
Register: Open to the public

 

Our Emerging Technology SXSW Event Picks

Looking for more emerging technology? With over 2,000 conference sessions, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos of SXSW. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered there too; consider this your short list to the best in the SXSW startup scene. From bots to blockchain, there’s something for everyone in future tech.

 

You, Me, & a Robot Makes 3- Tomorrow’s Modern Family

Maybe the Roomba wasn’t exactly Rosie (does anyone else remember the robot maid from The Jetsons?), but is technology that far off? Kaijen Hsiao, Chief Technology Officer at Mayfield Robotics will share her vision of the future, and how her team is making it happen.

Date: Sat, March 10, 2018
Time: 9:30 AM — 10:30 AM
Location: Hilton Austin Downtown — Salon DE
Register: SXSW badge required

 

From AI to EI: Empathy is the New Tech Superpower

Will robots ever really take over? This panel argues no, because empathy is our biggest business advantage. Learn how to combine human mindfulness with VR and AI to optimize your strategy.

Date: Mon, March 12, 2018
Time: 3:30 PM — 4:30 PM
Location: Hilton Austin Downtown — Salon
Register: SXSW badge required

 

Austin: A Global Center for Blockchain Innovation

We’ve all heard about bitcoin, but how much do you really know about crypto? Austin has become hub for this new digital ecosystem, so come brush up on your crypto-knowledge and learn why Austin is booming with blockchain.

Date: Tues, March 13, 2018
Time: 3:30 PM — 4:30 PM
Location: Hilton Austin Downtown — Room 400–402
Register: SXSW badge required

 

Research, Exploration, Art: The Holy Trinity of VR Creation

What will it take to push the boundaries of VR creation? Creators and scholars will discuss the role of practitioners, researchers, and designers in developing VR as an immersive art.

Date: Wed, March 14, 2018
Time: 3:30 PM — 4:30 PM
Location: JW Marriott — Salon 1–2
Register: SXSW badge required

 

Robots, bitcoin, superpowers… this SXSW schedule sounds like a sci-fi movie! So, what events will we see you at? Whether you visit just one or check off the entire list, SXSW 2018 is sure to be epic.

 

SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. The event, an essential destination for global professionals, features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2018 will take place March 9–18, 2018.
SXSW 2018 is sponsored by Bud Light, Mercedes Benz, Capital One, and The Austin Chronicle.