This was funny
I had just started grad school in Fall 2024, diving into the ECE department and focusing on robotics that help humans - both in social acceptance and safety. Safety isn't just a buzzword for me; it's at the core of what I believe robots need to master when working around humans. My time at Toyota taught me something crucial - robots shouldn't be trapped in industrial cages forever. These "mechanical beasts" (as my friends love to call them) deserve to break free and help us beyond the factory floor, making our lives better at home.
Sure, robot vacuums are everywhere now, but that's just scratching the surface of what robotic assistance could be. When I'm old and grey, I want a robot buddy who can help me haul groceries and handle the heavy lifting that my joints won't manage anymore. That future isn't some far-off sci-fi dream - it's racing toward us faster than ever, and honestly? That gets me pumped.
But here's the thing that keeps me up at night: the field is moving at breakneck speed. Sometimes it feels like before I can even finish sketching out an idea, someone else has already built it, tested it, and moved on to the next big thing. It's like watching a high-speed train zoom past while I'm still tying my shoes. And in some days, I catch myself daydreaming about ditching it all to become a potato farmer in PEI - just me, the waves, and maybe some cool farm tech I could tinker with on the side.
Don't get me wrong - I've got the fire in me and ideas bouncing around my head. But turning those ideas into reality? That's where things get sticky. Limited resources and support can feel like trying to build a robot with duct tape and paperclips. Sometimes I wonder if my motivation alone is enough to keep pushing forward in this field.
Maybe embracing the farmer life isn't just an escape fantasy. Maybe it's my subconscious trying to tell me something. But then again, who says I can't bring robots to the farm? The fields might be a different kind of laboratory, but innovation can grow anywhere - even among the potato plants.
Thanks for reading, and Godspeed.
PS: I will most probably be documenting my 2 year tumultuous journey, from the ups and downs. So you are very welcome to join me :3