Question 1: How did you get involved in the LEGO Robotics Group of Ann Arbor?

I found the group on the Internet. I've been a LEGO fan for all my life, and I was pretty quick to buy the Mindstorms kit when it came out. I live five hours away, so I only get to see the group on the day of the challenge(s). So far, I've only attended the 'Item Gathering' challenge, but I plan on continuing to participate.

Question 2: What do you do for work? How does this work effect your robotics?

Computer programmer. (like everyone else?) I think there are two pieces required for a good robot. Software and hardware. For most of us (programmers) the software is second nature, almost an afterthought. I believe I have an above average understanding of the hardware, which can give me an advantage.

Question 3: So far, what has been the most challenging aspect of robotics and why?

The most difficult thing is trying to figure out what can go wrong, and how to handle the problems. It's easy to build and program a robot if you can depend on everything working according to plan. But, in reality, it doesn't. So you have to be prepared for the unexpected.

Question 4: Out of all of your creations, which made you feel the most satisfaction when it was complete and why?

My Item Gathering robot "Milk Money" was very satisfying. Mainly because it did what I designed it to do. It was simply designed to go to the "other guy's" square, take his blocks, and bring them back. And, if the "other guy" was in the way, well... let's just say no one was in the way very long.

Another thing that made "Milk Money" very satisfying were some built in safeguards in my program. I planned on making last minute 'calibration' changes, but when I tested it on the actual surface, it still wasn't working. Fortunately, I had provisions in the program to accommodate this (see #3). I believe M.M. was the only robot that was able to distinguish between the white 'home-base' surface, and the brown 'neutral' surface out of the all the robots in the contest. (one robot had no sensors, and didn't even try to distinguish.)

Question 5: What if any inspiration do you use when it comes to starting a new robot?

I usually start on an idea and see how it evolves. I very seldom end up with the same idea I started out working on. Most of the time I talk with my wife about how a robot is going to work. She usually, just listens, and allows me to explore ideas, but she's a construction engineer, so she will often give me ideas about other directions I can go.