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Aeryon Labs

Aerial Robotics Software Developer

This was my last co-op term, and it was a good one. Aeryon Labs is a Waterloo startup company which has developed a small unmanned aerial vehicle for surveillance and surveying. Here, I got the chance to do a significant amount of design work. I was primarily responsible for developing their ground station software, including the original interface concepts (now being patented). The system can be controlled through only a touchscreen - no keyboard, mouse, or joystick required.

During the term, I also developed the framework for the vehicle's high-level navigation system, which allows the vehicle to follow flightplans and avoid restricted or dangerous areas without the need for constant communication with a ground station.

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Kiva Systems

Hardware Engineering Intern

I spent my fourth and fifth work terms working for Kiva Systems, a robotics startup in Woburn, MA. Kiva designs and manufactures a Mobile Fulfillment System which uses robotic drive units in conjunction with a central computer to automate large distribution centers. More importantly from the perspective of someone in my field, Kiva has developed and deployed the world's largest multi-robot systems. During my first work term there, my primary responsibilites were firmware development (mainly for the assembly and bench testing of vision systems) and the study of possible extensions to the Kiva hardware. When I returned for a second term, I found myself spending over a month on-site configuring and debugging shipments of new drive units as support for what was at the time Kiva's largest deployment. From a more technical standpoint, I continued my work with the vision systems with improvements to the performance of production code, and did system-wide studies of hardware performance.

I also took some time to script and supervise the various motions in the "free-form dance" Kiva put together as a holiday card. I'm probably its harshest critic, but considering the short time it took to organize, I was satisfied in the end.

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Mercator Robotec

Junior Automation Engineer

My third co-op term was spent working for Mercator Robotec, a Waterloo-based company which specializes in machine vision and custom controls. (both PC and PLC based) My work here focused on automated inspection systems (also commonly referred to as machine vision) and general industrial controls. It was at this company that I moved more into a design role. However, most systems integration companies do rely primarily on commercial off-the-shelf technology and have little ability to develop products on their own, based on the amount of resources it takes. I did learn a great deal about the challenges that face machine vision in the real world, and began exploring the algorithms used in the COTS systems that we used. This work term also provided me with valuable insight into the operation of a small business.

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Honda of Canada Mfg. Plant 2 Assembly Frame Department

Equipment Group Member

For my first and second co-op terms, I was employed in the Equipment Group within the Alliston Plant 2 Assembly Department. The Assembly Department takes the car body from a painted chassis and adds all of the internal parts, from powertrain to interior garnishes. The plant I worked at produced the Honda Pilot SUV, the Acura MDX luxury SUV and the brand new Honda Ridgeline SUT. During this time, I drastically redesigned the architecture of a PLC-based data collection system, (allowing for significant process time improvements) supervised various contractors during weekend work activities, and assisted with several other projects revolving around the improvement of process ergonomics and quality control. Though this was a fast-paced place to work, I found that the amount of pure design work which took place in my department was not to my liking - I came to realize that I enjoy developing new ideas more than supervising their implementation.

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Snow Valley Ski Resort - Ski & Snowboard School

Part Time Ski Instructor

I leave this position listed for kicks.

I worked here for the winters of 2002 and 2003. I taught the popular "Kidz Village" classes to 3-9 year olds for the majority of my first year, while I was working towards my CSIA certification. The year after, I moved from weekend classes to night classes and began teaching beginner/intermediate level skiers of all ages.

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