Ask a Roboticist
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Do you have a robotics project in mind or a specific question about robots you would like answered?
Are you thinking about buying a robot hobby kit or building your own quad-copter?
Are you wondering if a degree or career in robotics is right for you?
Does the idea of self-driving cars and planes excite or worry you?
I will answer your questions about Robotics to the best of my ability, time capped to 60 minutes of research and 60 minutes of discussion (discussion may continue if I have the time and we are enjoying the conversation). I have found that a 20-30 minute conversation followed by a couple days to think and research and then another 30 min conversation works well.
Subjects I can cover include, but are not limited to Academic, Hobby or Commercial Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, Aerial Robots, Manipulation, Mechatronics, Sensors, Embedded Programming, Gestural Interfaces, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Mapping, Computer Vision, Health Care and Personal Assistance, Manufacturing or anything else in the vast field of Robotics.
I can't talk specifics about my current professional role or responsibilities as they are secret, but that won't limit my ability to answer nearly any other questions about robotics.
I will research your question for up to 60 minutes if needed to augment my understanding of the subject and then schedule time to meet with you via phone or Skype (or Messenger or Kik or ?) to provide my answer and discuss the topic. I will ask you in advance about the experience and current knowledge of the person seeking the answer (you or a friend or child perhaps) so I can tailor the answer to the recipient.
Training & Qualifications
I am a Aerospace Roboticist working for a commercial company in the area of Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles (UAVs).
I have a Mechanical Engineering Degree from M.I.T. with 25 years software development experience and have worked professionally on Robotics for the last 5 years in the areas of 3D Sensing, Autonomous Navigation, Simulation, and Data Analysis. I am the inventor on several patents in the area of Software Development and Robotics.
I have published research papers and delivered presentations at international conferences on robotics (ICRA, ISER).
I have completed several embedded software and robotics hobby projects including an Arduino-powered laser projector (https://1drv.ms/v/s!AgCL1aiFeXvUjWWb4zwLvO9IviGF) and I have won awards for my home-made robotic arm (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xklOwVea78U, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7B4_s4hvvc) and lead the first eye-gaze controlled wheelchair team at Microsoft (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-UwDnN_3-Q).
I love to learn about and talk about robotics. Let's chat!
Availability & Preferences
I am usually free mornings and weeknights a few times a week.