When I learned that for capstone we had to do an interview, in my head I said “No way.” But I found out that we really had to do an interview. At first, I was really nervous I wouldn’t get an interview, on magnets, but then I switched to robotics. I kept thinking about my interview, and talking to my parents about it. Then my dad said that he had a friend at his work who knew a NASA engineer!!! So I told my teacher, Mrs Edwards. She got excited too, but the bummer was that he was a rocket scientist. =(, was my face when I found out. I told Mrs Edwards about the bad news. I was kind of disipointed the rest of the morning. But not too much. Then Mrs.Edwards said to ask Mr Casal (our computer and technology teacher) if he knew any one, and he did! He wrote down his name, which was Dr Nicholas Gans. ( Click here for information on Dr Gans) Mrs Edwards emailed him, and his response said…
YES!!! Yay! I got my interview! Mrs Edwards told me to do a little research on him and think of interview questions. I thought of some questions and talked with Mrs Edwards, and here is the outcome:
Dr. Nicholas R. Gans
Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas
- Focus on vision-based estimation and control for robots and autonomous vehicles. Naturally, my research includes computer vision and nonlinear control.
- Why are you interested in robotics?
- Please explain “vision-based estimation and control for robots” in simple terms.
- How is, or could, “vision-based estimation and control” or other new robotic technology you are working on be used in robots sent to explore underwater?
- How is or could “vision-based estimation and control” or other new robotic technology you are working on be used in robots sent to explore space?
- What were robots like when you first started your career in robotics?
- What are some major advances or highlights in robotics in the last 10 years?
- How are robots expected to change in the near future?
- What are the pros and cons of using robots for science research?
- What is your experience, if any, with androids or humanoids? (If no experience, what is your opinion of androids and humanoids?)
- Do you think android or humanoid robots will be something regular people will have in their homes one day? Why or why not?
I am proud of my questions, plus they are in order. The bold questions are the most important.
But then it was time for my interview.
The interview was scheduled for an Thursday, June 2nd. I skyped him and it took a couple of times for him to pick up, and honestly, I was glad he didn’t pick up, because I was REALLY nervous. I’ve never interviewed anyone in my life. But when he did, we started the interview. ….. After the interview, Mrs Edwards gave me a high five, and it felt good when it was done, because I learned a lot!