Budget- Friendly Journey: Evolving from Advisor to Prototyper at Supercon 2024
Ready to dive into an engineer's captivating journey? Let's follow Dave Rowntree's footsteps from corporate life to crafting some seriously unique kicks!
But first, graduated from college in the 2000s, our man Dave grabbed the bull by its horns and dived into the fast-paced world of digital television at Phillips Semiconductors. Quickly mastering the art of embedded programming, Dave yearned to use his electrical skills more. Sadly, a round of redundancies struck his company, forcing him to join the IC test and manufacturing support group. After a stint at a fabless semiconductor company as a test engineer, Dave finally got a foot in the design door, enrolling in the royalty program.
However, when the redundancy freight train came calling once more, Dave felt compelled to create his own path. Tackling all the challenges of self-employment, from bureaucratic red tape to managing his own marketing and finances, Dave connected with "innovation companies" – businesses that provided design assistance to those transforming their concepts into reality. As these firms often lacked engineering expertise, Dave's services became invaluable in this niche market.
The issue? His work was all wrapped up in non-disclosure agreements, leaving him with an invisible portfolio. Frustrated and feeling a bit like "the PCB guy," Dave yearned for more. He eagerly took on projects beyond his comfort zone, building an arcade machine and art installations.
The game-changer? A bizarre request to place an airbag in a basketball shoe! The goal? Protection from sprained ankles. Although initially hesitant about the idea of explosives in shoes, Dave's passion for innovation took over. He decided that if he wanted to break free from his PCB-princedom, this wild project was the ticket!
Fast-forward to now, Dave shares the thrilling details of this epic engineering adventure. From comparing pyrotechnic devices and stored gas systems, to meticulously analyzing commercial shoes, and even experimenting with scanning feet and building custom force sensors, this project has given Dave the chance to expand his skillset and develop a truly groundbreaking shoe design.
Inspired by Dave's story and looking to leave the corporate world behind? Give this talk a listen! Learn from his journey as he pivoted from traditional engineering to wacky yet exciting projects that have put him on the map. Dive headfirst into the world of suspense and airbag shoes that seem too good to be true!
- Dave, with his expertise in embedded programming and electronics, began crafting intricate custom force sensors for wearables, showcasing his innovation in the design of airbag shoes.
- Recognizing the potential of technology and gadgets, Dave started delving into unconventional engineering projects like building art installations and arcade machines to broaden his skillset.
- As a self-employed engineer, Dave tirelessly worked on projects beyond his comfort zone, applying his PCB knowledge to the development of airbag technology integrated into basketball shoes, symbolizing his freedom from corporate limitations.
