Amanjot Gulshi

What motivated you to apply for Co-op/Internship

I was motivated by the need to apply the theory I learnt in class to real world applications and this would be achieved by working in an engineering related field.

Can you describe your position in a few sentences?

I develop programs that operate a mobile robot using autonomous GPS navigation and incorporate computer vision for real-time image processing. We also implemented SLAM programming (Simultaneous localization and mapping) in python on a Robotic Operating System (ROS). I'm also in charge of developing an Android app to control aspects of the mobile robot and its performance.

Did you receive training to perform your engineering duties? Please Explain.

I was enrolled by the company in the Udacity course for "Artificial Intelligence for Robots" taught by Sebastian Thrun of Stanford University; as well as two Udemy courses for Python and Android App Development, both taught by Tim Buchalka.

What was your work atmosphere like? (flexibility, formality, team centric, supportive)

At Korechi Innovations Inc. the work atmosphere is very engaging, supportive, flexible and hands-on.

What new skills were you able to learn/develop during your Co-op/Internship?

A lot of the new skills are similar to skills learned in university. The first few weeks were about learning and catching up on what had been done before and what was required to pick off where others had left off. I have learned to troubleshoot software and hardware issues on the spot, come up with solutions to implement and how to present the robot to spectators and potential investors.

How did your experience compare with your expectations?

The experience I've had working is beyond what I imagined for my role as a software developer. By title I may just be a software developer, but true to Mechatronics, I am also working on mechanical elements, electronic elements and computer software.

What was your proudest moment? 

Thus far, my proudest moment has been showcasing our product at the OCE Discovery event held in Toronto. There, I talked to many entrepreneurs, potential customers and investors about the capabilities of our robot and the future of the company.

What advice would you offer to current students thinking about pursuing Co-op/Internship?

I would advice current students to get their hands dirty early and try to gain experience through clubs or personal engineering projects to have some experience to show along with in class theory. Being a problem solver is inherent to engineering and being involved in works of engineering will go a long way.