In California, when someone says “DMV,” we automatically think of the Department of Motor Vehicles — you know, the place for renewing your license or registering your car. But on this trip, I learned that over on the East Coast, “DMV” often refers to the broader region: D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. That was news to me!

What felt really different from California?

• The humid, sticky weather — just like a Korean summer

• The lush greenery lining the highways

• And surprisingly aggressive driving habits 😅

While not quite as full of Teslas as California, I still spotted a decent number on the roads — definitely more than in Rhode Island. In the heart of D.C. near the Capitol, people tend to drive compact, city-friendly cars like the Prius, RAV4, or Mazda CX-5. That makes sense — there’s limited parking between the old buildings, and with so many tourists around, parking fees can get high. But out in the suburbs, I saw more AWD vehicles like the 4Runner or Forester — perfect for handling snowy or rainy conditions.

I rented a 4Runner myself, thinking a bigger car would be more comfortable. At first, it seemed like a good idea — until I had to climb in and out of it (not easy when you're short 😅), or try to park at crowded landmarks. Thankfully, gas prices in the area were much cheaper than in California, so I could see why people in the suburbs don’t mind driving larger vehicles.

Food prices in the DMV area were pretty similar to California — maybe just a little cheaper. Thanks to the region’s diversity, the variety of cuisines was impressive, even more so than in many other parts of the country. You could really feel the mix of cultures through the food scene.

That said… I found the flavors a bit underwhelming compared to California. 😥
A lot of the food tasted kind of bland to me — just not quite seasoned to my liking. American classics like burgers were solid and satisfying, but when it came to Thai, Korean, or Vietnamese food… I was honestly pretty disappointed. It just didn’t hit the mark.

This year, the East Coast was hit with a record-breaking heatwave — the hottest in 117 years. Without a car, it would’ve been nearly impossible to get around to most of the landmarks and historical sites. Aside from places like the Lincoln Memorial and the museums, sightseeing at night wasn’t a bad option at all.

If you’re planning a trip to D.C., the best times to visit are late March to early April, when the cherry blossoms gifted by Japan in 1912 start to bloom, or in October to early November, when the fall colors are at their peak and the crowds are thinner. One tip: avoid summer if you can!

One of my favorite things about D.C. was definitely the museums. The city has one of the highest concentrations of free museums in the world — and that’s largely thanks to British scientist James Smithson, who donated a large sum of money to the United States. His legacy led to the founding of the Smithsonian Institution, which now operates many of these incredible museums at no cost.

Trying to escape the brutal summer heat, I ducked into the National Gallery of Art — and it turned out to be an unexpected treasure. The elegant wood-paneled walls and endless halls of art made it feel like stepping into another world. If I lived nearby, I think I’d go every week and never get tired of it.

Other memorable stops included the Old Post Office Museum, which offers a panoramic view of the city, the deeply moving Holocaust Museum, which covers everything from Hitler’s rise to the horrors of genocide, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, where you can see how U.S. currency is made. All worth a visit!

The Lincoln Memorial was much smaller than I had imagined — and yet, despite the sweltering heat, there was a long line of people waiting to take photos, many of them visibly uncomfortable in the weather. To be honest, what struck me more than the seated statue of Lincoln was the full text of the Gettysburg Address engraved on the side walls.

Under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Reading those powerful closing words, I found myself silently hoping — even praying — that Korea’s new government would stand upright and true, like the vision Lincoln cast in his speech.

I also visited Georgetown University, which — despite its musty old-book smell — felt like a charming time capsule, steeped in over a century of history while still buzzing with modern life. Old Town Alexandria had its own quaint charm, and the U.S. Capitol (highly recommend doing the guided tour!) was another highlight. Through these visits, I could really sense how proud D.C. locals are of their city — and how deeply they care about its history and identity.

I have to give a special shoutout to the Capitol tour guides — their deep knowledge of American history and storytelling skills were seriously impressive.

I’ll be heading back to Maryland in early August, and this time I’m hoping to finally do the White House tour, which I missed on this trip. If anyone has a message they’d like me to pass along to President Trump, feel free to email me — haha!

When we define mobility, we often focus on movement itself. But considering user-centered scenarios, Mr. Feng’s Acemate tennis robot points us in a different direction. Instead of obsessing over making the robot look human, it focuses on fulfilling the user’s core needs. By combining existing technologies — cameras, wheels, and timing control — in new ways, it evolves into a mobility solution that delivers a completely fresh user experience.

For example, the robot tracks balls that cross the net and shoots new ones back toward the player, creating the feeling of practicing with a human partner. It adjusts the timing of catching and firing to simulate natural interaction and immersion.

If applied to cars, this approach could evolve mobility beyond mere transportation — into a system that senses and responds to the driver and passengers. Imagine autonomous vehicles that recognize your gaze or emotional state, enhancing the content they display or adjusting the lighting to suit the moment.

🎯 In short, future mobility won’t just be machines — it will be intelligent partners that understand, mimic, and support human senses. Their role as interactive companions will only grow stronger.

Italian designer Andrea Marazzi transformed a 1993 Fiat Panda into a one-person vehicle just 48 cm wide. Powered by an electric scooter motor, it’s fully drivable. From the side, it looks like a regular car, but in reality, it has an incredibly narrow body. While current regulations may not allow this on the road yet, there’s growing excitement about the possibility of ultra-compact electric vehicles sharing bike lanes in the future. Although legal standards and safety evaluations are needed, the potential for these tiny vehicles as efficient urban transport is definitely worth watching.

The second example is Mogu’s acoustic panels, made by compressing mycelium grown from agricultural waste, then coated with natural pigments extracted from seashells and a biodegradable PU finish for durability and aesthetic appeal. As a naturally circulating material, these panels have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to traditional building materials. The compression molding process enhances strength and durability, maintaining structural stability, making them practical for use as indoor flooring or wall finishes.

Using seashell-based natural pigments instead of synthetic dyes, the colors are soft and natural, harmonizing beautifully with the material’s inherent texture. The surface is coated with biodegradable polyurethane, improving durability and water resistance, while minimizing harmful chemicals to ensure safety in indoor environments.

I listened, even though it was frustrating. Just like I expected, she’d dropped her phone while kayaking. Luckily, a retired military diver they met offered to help—and this guy searched underwater for about 30 minutes at a depth of 50 meters to find it. Ouch… that must’ve been stressful.

Thankfully, she found her important ID and the phone she’d just replaced not long ago. She called me with a smile on her face, relieved. (She proudly told me she paid the diver’s $150 fee out of her own pocket. 😂)

Next time, I’ll share some stories about enjoying the Sand Dunes in San Diego — a place known for its stunning sunsets.

Wherever you are, stay cool and healthy!

@ Imperial Sand Dunes