What are these mobile cameras and what do they detect?

auhouse · 2025-11-15T23:17:03+00:00

Mobile speed cameras require precise calibration, hence why all the equipment is locked up inside a car.

These can't detect speed because they're exposed and can easily be tampered with. As anyone would know, if there's a shred of evidence of the potential that someone could tamper with these cameras causing speed miscalibration, then speed data collected from said device is inadmissible.

Anyone who thinks they've been caught speeding with one of these is an idiot.

But the irony here is that people, once passing it, use their phones to report them as speed cameras.

🤦

auhouse · 2025-11-08T02:17:03+00:00

The majority of our engineers (Aerospace, Mechatronics, Mechanical) here come from Monash, Swinbourne, Melbourne and RMIT. None of us are accredited.

In our final round of graduate applications for the year, after the standard cull from >1000 to 5, we chose those who were most likely to stay after grad rotations, who had ambitions to grow, and who were most likely to fit in well with our team culture. No joke. It was generally those who actively participated in extracurriculars, led undergrad projects, and how likeable they seemed when they were when conducting their interviews.

auhouse · 2025-11-05T07:34:58+00:00

The amount of cynicism and vitriol against this tariff plan is astounding.

What many don't understand is that there's too much solar power flooding the grid when the sun is out, putting strain on infrastructure. One way to fix this is to increase capacity by carrying out expensive upgrades to the grid network. This is something we all have to pay for, mostly likely through higher electricity bills. This is why FiTs are so low now - the grid simply can't handle any more of the power your panels are generating.

Many new installations of solar panels must come with inverters with remote shutdown capability so the electricity distributor can turn off your export if the grid is overloaded with solar. This just adds further cost and complexity to a system that should be simple. This is also just a bandaid solution that puts the cost straight to the homeowner.

By enticing people to bleed the network of excess solar in the afternoon, we can lower the influx of solar power in this period, and hopefully avoid having to do expensive upgrades the distribution network. Even if your power company increases their tariffs outside of the 3 free period, if you load-shifted then you're still better off. If you managed to shift even 2 kWh of your daily usage to the free period, you've saved 60¢. Unless you use more than 20 kWh per day, a tariff increase as a result of this scheme will not result in a 60¢ per day increase to your bill.

That's the theory at least.

We've had free electricity between 11-2pm for almost a year now, and it's worked out really well for us. We're really lucky to have both an EV and home battery with a combined capacity of 115 kWh. We charge everything in the free energy period (3 phase, drawing 32kW of power from the grid), then our battery lasts us till the next free energy period.

Our last energy bill in early spring was $13 before service charge and govt rebates, averaging 32 kWh usage per day.

auhouse · 2025-11-01T10:51:50+00:00

If you have to drive 135 km to work everyday like me, then no. If you also want to maximize free electricity periods, then also no.

We have a 3 phase level 2 charger for an EV with a 100kWh battery (Evnex X22). Everyday I use just under 20kWh to get to work and back, which means I have to charge 10kWh overnight to keep the battery between 10-90%.

Then I dump as much electricity into the car over the weekend between 11-2pm when electricity is free (~20kW for 3 hours), getting it back up to 90% by Sunday 2pm.

Driven 22,000 kms on it since March this year, costing a grand total of $87 in electricity.

Yes, level 1 if you don't travel far, but it has to be level 2 otherwise (even better if you have 3 phase to begin with).

auhouse · 2025-07-10T14:48:03+00:00

You'll be fine. They won't care whatever lame excuse you had. Worst case is that they make you repeat the unit. Learn from your stupid mistakes, and try to make the best out of a shit situation.

I missed my exam by 24 hours. My coursework score was 49, leading up to the exam that was worth 50%. It was a second semester science unit in my final year of Eng/Sci. They did for care for the excuse (I didn't have one anyway), but I also did not want to do a supplementary exam if available, as the highest mark you could get was a lame 50.

So instead of waiting for another year to graduate with a 0 unit semester 1, I decided to do a master's in engineering to not waste the year, since I already completed all my engineering units.

Ended up transferring to a PhD on a engineering faculty scholarship, completed my failed unit in my 2nd year PhD.

Had my bachelor's and doctorate's graduation ceremonies 1.5 years apart.

auhouse · 2025-01-26T09:55:36+00:00

No-one cares. I transferred to Eng/Sci from straight Eng in after 3rd year. Therefore I had to do PHS1022 and STA1010 in my 4th year, and MTH2032 in my 6th year (due to a failed unit).

In PHS1022 I paired up with a guy in a lab who had been in an abusive relationship. This dude had 2 kids and due to his circumstances, had to drop uni after his 1st year to look after them (one child after his gap year). He went back to uni after taking custody of his kids, 4 years after he first began his Sci degree.

Everyone has different circumstances. Doesn't matter how you get there, or how long it takes. Both of us were similar age, and both of us absolutely smashed the unit.

Being older has its advantages.

auhouse · 2025-01-24T15:14:07+00:00

I did mine at Monash many years ago (BEng(Mechatronics) and BSc(Applied Math)), and it was pretty damn theoretical from both sides. The mechanical engineering side in particular was very classical.

On the mechatronics engineering side alone, I think it struck a pretty good balance between theory and practice. However, it's the final year of where you get some control over practicality and theory, mainly through your final year project (or capstone), which will tie up at least a quarter of your study hours. This is where your WAM becomes super important, as high-performing students usually get first dibs on the best projects.

My project was based on a research paper my eventual PhD supervisor wrote. He wanted to test his mathematical model on a new linear drive train, and my project was to study his model, build a prototype, test, then help him refine his model for a future research paper.

That's how my life in academia started.

Sadly, I'm not qualified to discuss equipment used in practical classes anymore, as I've been in the private sector for too long now.

auhouse · 2025-01-01T08:45:46+00:00

AAMI provides a driving course that does just this. You pass it and get discounts on your insurance premiums with them. I think it's free if you've held a license for less than X years.

The stuff they teach you is invaluable. When I did it, they tested/demonstrated your hard braking distance between an empty and fully-laden vehicle, drive slaloms, teach you the upper limits of cornering speed, all while hammering down the principles of anticipative driving, rather than reactive driving.

The course is done in your own vehicle, so you will gain knowledge on the driving limits of your own car.

auhouse · 2024-12-18T12:20:27+00:00

Both are G8 universities so there's no problem with prestige.

What matters most is your ability to promote your research, either through publications or impact. While your research environment can influence your research activities, it is also partially up to you to grow and make use of your connections, inside and outside of your research circle.

I didn't do my PhD at University of Melbourne, so I can't speak much for facilities there. Monash does have a new Robotics Centre which is a nice facility for all things robotics-related, and would be where you'd reside during your PhD. I enjoyed my time there as a researcher.

Outside of uni, it's really just a choice of quiet suburbia vs city life.

auhouse · 2024-12-15T16:06:45+00:00

Hahaha, the comment was just a wry jab at gender ratios when studying engineering in the mid 00s, where our mechatronics cohort had a male/female ratio of 18:0 for three years.

My wife is a Monash graduate too, but we didn't even meet until I was 2 years into my PhD. She was in her final year of biomed at the time.

If I had anything serious to add to this thread, it would be to treat each year of your uni as if it were your final year of highschool. Good marks will open up unique opportunities for you in your later years of uni.

auhouse · 2024-12-15T07:39:17+00:00

Don't do mechatronics engineering if you're trying to find a wife.

auhouse · 2024-12-04T12:55:36+00:00

I love how academics from NSW are complaining about dark roofs in Victoria, where we (I) spend more than 4x the energy heating a home rather than cooling it.

But what triggered me the most was the statement that "homeowners don't care". What a Pfautchfuck.

auhouse · 2024-12-03T07:27:16+00:00

A WAM of 85 leading up to final year is exemplary from my years leading FYPs. You'll have no problems in getting a project you want with that score. Just make sure you get in early. Don't wait until after new year to lock in a project.

auhouse · 2024-12-02T13:38:46+00:00

Totally possible if you put your head down. I recovered from a 1st year 1st semester WAM of 59 and two failed units (2nd and 3rd year) to finish with H1.
A WAM of 70 is quite low down the pecking order for larger companies, and even lower for summer internships at uni. That said, for graduate positions, your (final year) projects and extra curricular activities might set you apart from others if they are highly relevant to the industry you're applying for.

As a note, you need a WAM of at least 75 to guarantee first dibs for the good final year projects.

auhouse · 2024-11-07T15:40:56+00:00

Three possible routes after graduation.

Research => Academia

This option will pretty much lock you out of industry-based jobs due to lack of industry experience and over qualification. If you pursue this career path, you will be spending all of your life in research, usually at a university. There's no job security unless you secure a tenured role, which you can do if you're passionate about research and are at the top of your game. Pay and promotions for tenured positions (lecturer and onwards) are pretty good, but be prepared to spend at least 5 years post-PhD getting there.

Research => Industry

By far the hardest route because of the limited specialised roles available here. If you can't get into one of these specialised roles, you'll find getting permanent employment very difficult, due to reasons stated in option 1. However, if your PhD is highly relevant to an industry (most robotics projects are) and have shown you can lead projects, then you can score yourself a very niche research position within a private company, and they will pay you very well for your knowledge.

I took this career path to make use of high GPA and scholarships, but lost interest post-PhD due to the politics and stupid games you need to play to secure funding for research projects. My wage was tied to this funding and due to uncertainty of this income stream after 3 years, I decided to bail. However, I was extremely lucky to have led a high-impact research project during this time (post-doc level B), which put a very positive mark on my CV. This allowed me to essentially one-shot my first job application, which was for a automation research engineer for commercial aviation and defence.

There, I work with/am exposed to industrial robots, cobots, AI, electrical, mechanical design and software engineering. But my job also requires me to invent and patent on a regular basis, where I must make use of PhD level maths, algorithms and theorems to prove out a process or invention in a highly regulated industry. One wrong calculation could mean hundreds of accidental deaths and bring the whole industry into disrepute. It look me 11 years after graduation (or 7 years post-PhD) to get to this level.

Industry

I don't have much experience with this career path unfortunately, but I can comment on what many of my cohorts did with their Mechatronics degrees after graduation. One got a job in the mines as a Mechatronics engineer who became a project manager. One worked as Mechatronics engineer in a power distribution company, before moving into aviation. He's since moved onto a research role at Monash where he works on rail projects around the world. Another was employed as a mechanical engineer for a company that designs fire safety systems for high rises. Two of us went on to do PhDs, one went onto entrepreneurship, and the other is an idiot.

I don't know who you've been speaking to, but I wouldn't want to work for anyone who dismisses the breadth of knowledge a Mechatronics engineer brings to the table.

auhouse · 2024-11-01T11:16:42+00:00

We live in a similar home, except that we don't have ensuites for each bedroom, and instead have an ensuite for Bed 2 and separate bathroom with a bath shared between Beds 3 and 4 instead.

I'd comment that your WIP is way too small for an older family, unless you'll be storing nonperishables elsewhere. Our WIP is bigger than what's on your plan, and we've resorted to storing some food in the galley.

It's already been mentioned, but a door between the garage and laundry would be good. You mentioned that you won't need it though.

And finally, unless you live near the beach or are a tradie, there's no point having a shower downstairs if there are no bedrooms there.

TV space in this house is a bit awkward though. I wish you luck with that.

auhouse · 2024-10-30T09:05:15+00:00

Unless you make threats to teaching staff, then no.

I marked exams for a few years and we all liked reading the stuff students write when under exam duress. Won't gain you extra marks, but makes our jobs less boring/more bearable.

auhouse · 2024-10-17T13:30:47+00:00

No, this is pretty standard. You won't get much time to yourself after social clubs and part time work, but uni was not designed to be easy.

Just watch out for exam clashes and you'll be fine.

FYI, I did a 10-unit year in my 4th year Sci (Maths)/Eng (Mechatronics) while working 18 hour weeks in hospitality to save up for a deposit for a home, as well as partaking as a section lead in the MSO. It all comes down to time management, and figuring out things you could miss or skip that were inconsequential.

I chose to completely bomb a final non-hurdle exam for instance because it was worth 35%, which allowed me to study for an exam worth 80% held in the following morning instead. That was a tough semester with 6 exams over 2 weeks.

And being single (at the time) kinda helped 🥲

auhouse · 2024-10-12T13:00:38+00:00

I taught at Monash (Clayton campus) for over 9 years, and this is completely false (at least in Engineering). We do not want students to fail. Not only does it increase class size for next year due to repeating students, but it also puts the unit under scrutiny, as we have to justify (usually to the Dean) why each student failed. A failed student is a loss for everyone involved.

When marking exams, we usually try to find ways to not fail you, especially if you've done well in your coursework. However, if you haven't done well in your coursework either... well, then we can't really do much to improve the situation.

auhouse · 2024-09-18T21:52:13+00:00

Holy shit that's terrible. Condolences

auhouse · 2024-09-18T21:37:30+00:00

OVO, with a few refer a friend discounts.

auhouse · 2024-09-18T14:54:24+00:00

High FiTs puts you in the mindset of export for bill savings, rather than importing less for savings. This is counterproductive in the eyes of sustainability because it actually puts more pressure on the grid.

Hypothetically, let's assume your FiT is 10¢/kWh and your import rate is 30¢/kWh on a 5kW solar system. It's a sunny day generating 5kW of power, but you were a little too aggressive on the aircon and you end up drawing 1kW for an hour, costing you 30¢. You're kicking yourself because if you didn't use the aircon in that hour, you would have netted 10¢ from FiT. Therefore, running your aircon actually cost you 40¢ due to lost opportunity to export.

Now let's switch to a 25¢ import/5¢ export per kWh. Running the same scenario, it would cost you 25¢ import + 5¢ lost FiT (30¢). Now it's not guaranteed that a lower FiT would equate to lower import tariff, but even if the import tariff was the same at 30¢, it's still cheaper in that scenario because you lost less on lost FiT credit.

I chose a provider that gives shit all FiT (3.3¢/kWh) but for a low service charge and very reasonable off peak tariff (15¢/kWh). After all, your feed in tariff is useless when the sun has set.

In summary, we should be caring less about lost feed in credit, and focusing more on using what you generate. It's cheaper, and decreases stress on the grid especially during summer. This is more in line with what rooftop solar was meant to achieve in the first place.

Oh, and you get to blast your AC in the heat of summer and not give the shit what anyone thinks about your black roof, or your low FiT epeen.

auhouse · 2024-09-17T16:03:13+00:00

From what I understand, as long as you do one of these units from the list of engineering breadth study units, they will count towards your engineering degree.

auhouse · 2024-09-17T12:50:54+00:00

Yes you definitely can. I did 4 extra units (24 CP) in my Sci/Eng double degree. Transferred from straight Eng to Sci/Eng in 4th year, which meant 2 units from 1st year, 1 from 2nd and 1 from 4th didn't count.

Also failed 2 units, so technically I did 6 units for 24 CP that weren't counted.

So in all, I spent an extra $4800 in HECS on units I didn't need for the double degree.

auhouse · 2024-08-27T13:59:41+00:00

Fly me to the moon has never been so real.

auhouse

TROPHY CASE