Serious Robotics Startup Opportunity

Aeden_6007 · February 3, 2021, 9:17am

Hey Guys,

I am Aeden from team 6007 and I am working on a project with Cameron from team 62. We’ve been a part of VEX for a long time and want to give back to the community that built us.

We are both several years retired from VEX now, but we remember just how motivated and knowledgeable so many kids doing VEX are, and how frustrating it was to not be taken seriously by companies when looking for an internship. We are hoping to give one talented vex competitor the chance to work on a serious engineering project with people who respect the knowledge that you have.

We have a vision for the future of robotics that is cheaper and far more widespread. We are starting by reinventing a hardware product at the center of every robot arm in the world.

Right now, we need help building the testing setup that tests this part to and past its limits, recording when, and how it fails. You will have complete responsibility for every aspect of this system, including designing the mechanical/electrical parts, as well as writing code to log the data that is recorded.

We are looking for someone obsessed with robots, with crazy work ethic, and extremely high standards for their own work. Experience with CAD (Solidworks Preferred), and general programming knowledge are a must. This is exactly why we came to the VEX community, where we know we can find people just like this.

If this sounds interesting, reply below and I will DM you the system requirements. If you impress us with your work on this first project, we will likely be very interested in continuing to work with you in the future.

Note: we are currently working in Berkeley/LA, but remote work is no problem.

Best,

Aeden and Cameron

Cameron_Schiller · February 3, 2021, 9:30am

I’m super excited about this - Aeden and I have been been working in stealth mode for over half a year and we are just a few weeks away from entering the market. If you want huge impact helping develop real, serious robotics technology, reach out to us.

Age is not relevant, passion, drive, and competence is. If you know anyone that may be right for this, but is not currently on the forums, feel free direct them our way.

Dually, we want to show the world the capabilities of VEX competitors and the relevance of the skills the program teaches students. The people I’ve met through VEX are some of the most amazing I’ve ever seen.

Kajunii42 · February 3, 2021, 12:25pm

I can 100 percent do the mechanical, design, and electrical, but I can’t code worth anything. Sorry. I do have a heck ton of solidworks experience tho.

2775Josh · February 3, 2021, 1:10pm

Exciting! I’ve been following you guys since the Ri3D in ITZ and my Prova backpack is sitting next to me as I type this out.

I have experience in Inventor and Fusion 360, mostly assemblies but some part design as well. As for code, I use VexCode (C++) and practice Python a little on the side.

I guess you could say I’m obsessed with robotics: I spent a good part of the summer building an x-drive and coding the odometry and motion algorithm to control it. I spent a while last weekend getting a CNC router for drive gussets to work.

DM me if you think I have experience which will be helpful for your project

meng · February 3, 2021, 2:28pm

talking about that… any more Prova backpack…??

Dru_Reed · February 3, 2021, 4:38pm

Hi! This sounds like a super awesome opportunity! I have experience in Inventor and I have started to switch over to Solidworks! I have been coding for 7 years, and I know Python, Robot C, C#, C++, and PROS. My entire life is circulated around robotics and I spend every second of the day thinking about how I can make my team’s robot better. I also have a background in venture capital, if that is needed. Let me know if you think that I can help!

Railgunawesome · February 3, 2021, 6:21pm

I’m currently looking for internship opportunities, and this sounds fascinating! I have some experience in CAD (fusion 360) but could probably do solidworks as well. I also have general coding skills.

Yuanyang1727G · February 3, 2021, 6:55pm

Thank you for giving back to the community! Looking up to you as VEX competitors, it’s exciting to have an opportunity to work with you. I have experience in Inventor, developing an Inventor library and working with iLogic. I have experience in C++, inside and outside of VEX applications. I’d be happy to see if I could help.

Zach_929U · February 3, 2021, 7:09pm

I’d be interested in finding out more about this project. If possible could you guys DM me more information about more specifically what you are doing so I can judge if I would be a valuable member?

Thanks,
Zach

Noah10851B · February 3, 2021, 8:13pm

Why do you only want one person for this?

DrewWHOOP · February 3, 2021, 8:13pm

Sounds interesting. I’d like to learn more. I’m CSWA certified in solidworks (though probably a bit rusty) and I have pretty decent programming skills.

Cameron_Schiller · February 3, 2021, 8:36pm

Hey Meng!

Long time no talk. Hope you are well. We are still selling backpacks here, although I have been spending almost all my time on this recently.

Bob132 · February 4, 2021, 5:59am

I am very intrigued! I have been wanting to get involved with a startup for some time, and what you are doing sounds very exciting! I would be very interested in learning more about this project.

Here is a brief overview of some of the related experience I have:

CAD

Fusion 360
Solidworks (actively learning)
3D-printed part design
Assemblies

Programming

C++
Python

Electronics

Arduino
Raspberry PI (actively learning)
PCB design
SMD soldering
Reverse engineering and modification

Equipment

3D printer
CNC mill
Laser cutter

Thank you for sharing this opportunity,
Justin

Niyam-20785A · February 4, 2021, 11:26am

Hi!

Firstly, thank you for opening this opportunity to the VEX community. This seems like a cool project and a good way to give back. I am a machinist enthusiast and have a high level of knowledge in many fields. I would definitely be interested in joining you.

For the past 5 years I have been developing my knowledge with 3D Printers, CNC Machines, Laser Cutters, and I am in the process of learning more about Plasma Cutters. I have been constantly expanding my knowledge of robotics through VEX, build most of my machines (3D Printers and a CNC) from scratch, and experimenting with electronics on a range of maker projects. I have made custom PCB’s in the past, and I feel I have enough experience with electronics to say I could work with any.

I have been working with CAD softwares and can virtually make anything in Fusion 360, Solidworks, or Inventor. I am currently getting the CSWA certification for Solidworks but I have all the skills required. I have entered a few high-level design competitions which have really boosted my skill and taught me how to use the design process efficiently. A large part of the CAD design process is being able to judge specific choices to minimise the time it takes to test and prototype a model to get the finished product as quick as possible.

Programming is also not an issue for me as I have used many different languages and have a large background in C. I do know C++ and Python as well, however I am still learning the more complicated aspects, and I am focusing on enhancing my skill overall as a programmer.

From the information you have given I feel I could be useful and determined to develop the project alongside you. I really enjoy working on projects like this and have been looking for one for a while. If you would like to talk to me further, here is my discord: Nyoooooooom #9188 .

Thanks,

Niyam Shah

Joey_24K · February 4, 2021, 1:19pm

Well, I don’t know how I can compete with someone like @Zach_929U, but I have cadding experience in Fusion 360 and Blender as well as doing some modeling commissions for a biotech company, a lot of coding experience, and I feel like I’ve made some decent contributions to the community. Anyways, DM me to find out more, and congratulations on such an ambitious project.

Cameron_Schiller · February 5, 2021, 9:04pm

Hey guys, I should have DM’ed everyone by now. If you did not get a message, please reach out to me.

If you are still interested, we are accepting applications until Sunday 2/7/2020 at 10pm.

Thanks!

Noah10851B · February 6, 2021, 10:47pm

Okay! I guess I am interested in some of the details on this!

LolDragon_6 · February 6, 2021, 10:54pm

I am interested in this project. I have experience when it comes to programming and the engineering, but I have no experience with and kind of CAD software.

Steven_Luke · February 7, 2021, 10:27pm

Hi Aeden and Cameron,

I am writing on behalf one of the boys I mentor, a second year Vexer, Vincent.

He is a designer, builder, and can program in Python. He is using Fusion 360 to help him design and communicate those designs to his teammates. He is an extremely hard worker, willing to go beyond what is expected of him in most any aspect, not just robotics. He is, however, obsessed with robotics, he spends probably too long searching for reveal videos to gain ideas and learn new mechanisms. He can reference the last 5 years of competitions, his favorite designs for each, and how his favorite teams did through states and worlds.

This is Vincent’s first year in VRC. Last year, his first year IQ team made it to worlds via the Excellence Award. In moving to VRC this year, Vincent took the hard route to designing the robot. He chose not to go with the ‘standard’ design and build-to-order. Instead he took some inspiration from previous years and his favorite team’s videos and built his own design from the ground up. It took some iterations but is performing really well now. My feeling is that Vincent is as capable as most high schoolers as far as design is concerned, but needs more experience to catch up with their overall capabilities. My goal is to try to gain him that experience as fast as he is willing to consume it (which is hard, he learns really quickly).

He has helped his mother and I in some projects using Raspberry Pi and Google’s AIY, and the two of us would be there to help him with this project. His mother is a professional developer, experienced in multiple languages, working for a microscopy automation company. I integrate automation systems with software which requires that I become an expert in both hardware and software. I share Vincent’s passion for robots, and have in the past built drones and model airplanes. But I also am passionate about educating children, which is why I mentor for Vincent’s team.

I am writing on Vincent’s behalf as he does not have an account here. He is 11 years old, so we try to manage his internet presence. He is young, but he is also highly motivated and capable beyond his age. I will also be there to ensure his work quality and keep him progressing should he reach a wall. His mother an I, as professionals in the field, are experienced with the full stack of hardware design, integration with software, and the testing process. We hope to help Vincent gain that experience as well.

We would love to hear from you.

Aeden_6007 · February 8, 2021, 5:41pm

Hello Everyone,

Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in working with us on this! We have been incredibly impressed with all of the applications we’ve received. At this point, we’re hoping that everyone who was interested was able to send something in, so we’re moving forward with the people that have already gotten into contact with us.

Thank you,
Aeden and Cameron