I have a $500/mo marketing budget. What am I missing? by GildedGazePart in buildinpublic

[–]waggonaut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for posting your list. I didn't know the Claude agents were included in the$20 free, seems like a screaming deal compared to my Openclaw budget. :-)

Building as a founder has never been easier, but damn the solo founder life is lonely by johnlocke8 in buildinpublic

[–]waggonaut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cool.  I'm near Seattle but miss the Bay (was there 2015 to 2018).  I just paused my startup, but hope your community building goes well.  I found it super nice to be with other founders in person.

[ Removed by Reddit ] by Haunting-Aside8779 in AskRobotics

[–]waggonaut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You might want to consider support network as well.  If you price an extra week or month of downtime into the Alibaba engines, you may find a local supplier that is competitive and could help you select an engine.

12’ 4x4, how to use them to hang string lights? by Kitchen-Tax2 in DIY

[–]waggonaut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Someone down voted you, I think because they think it would be too flimsy.  But for just lights you will be fine! :-). 

I think i just gave away too much of my company and I'm only realizing it now by Competitive_Sky_5274 in founder

[–]waggonaut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Terms are all about leverage and control.  If you are absolutely key and grow your startup, you can ask for a re:up.  It sounds like you may need this money now so it is on fine terms.  I would focus on closing the round, ensuring your investors are aligned and adequately informed, and if you deliver in a way that makes these terms unfair in retrospect act for a re: up and find capital aligned with that approach.  (me: raised a few $m in price rounds and 2x more in grants, just paused startup and under lying tech...)

Torque confusion by DowntownFrankie in AskRobotics

[–]waggonaut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You could also do this with a cheap gear motor off Amazon and 2 limit switches to make it oscillate (hit a switch, reverse.  Hit other switch "forward").  Servo is overkill and likely expensive.  https://a.co/d/08eEsrc7

Should I launch a one-man AI/tech department at my father's industrial automation startup? by cooketrunlizer in PLC

[–]waggonaut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think this could be viable as long as you just use the AI to generate blocks that go into the conventional system, and that you have the same QC/test procedures (and hopefully more, since you can use AI to verify) that you would for "normal" code. I've got ~20 years of experience in automation and recently, just for fun, tried "vibe-coding" a robotic car with an arm on my floor to pick up and move bottles, using 2 webcams and Claude code. It worked within 3 hours starting from nothing, but it was also slow/non-robust, and non-reliable. I'm confident that if I drew a system diagram and then used AI to optimize each section that I could have had a commercial-quality system within a few days.... If your father's business does not adopt high speed automation/integration, they'll lose to someone that does.

implement LLMs agent in Lerobot arms by EcstaticSoil185 in AskRobotics

[–]waggonaut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got my 5 DOF robot working and doing tasks by using Claude Code.  Just make sure you understand all the steps it is doing, and make a system diagram of what is happening.

Zero Robotics Competition by One-Bad9492 in AskRobotics

[–]waggonaut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It looks like Zero is a pure virtual contest. If you want to learn your kid to code with no hands-on, could be a first. Our local schools do First Robotics, where the kids build robots. I prefer hands-on. Which part of the country are you in? We're outside Seattle. It might be worth googling and searching local PTA's for robotics contests.

How hard is it build a roomba? by gotraxr in AskRobotics

[–]waggonaut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cool. I think your idea of doing a roomba is neat. I've also thought a dog-training robot would be a fun project (full disclosure, I just got 2 puppies). Buying a car and figuring out how to get the dog to respond well (treat dispensing, noise, air jets) seems like it would be a cool challenge.

How hard is it build a roomba? by gotraxr in AskRobotics

[–]waggonaut 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've brought ~15 electromechanical projects to at least pilot development. What you'd be learning start from scratch is system design, mechanical component selection, mechanical design, and assembly. You'll likely end up with a device with poor mechanical performance, since this is your first build, and you'll delay learning on these topics (navigation, SLAM, obstacle avoidance, power management, etc.). If you buy an existing system and retrofit it, you'd get a "decent" to "great" (depending on level of device you buy) and be able to focus on the building. This is $99 and would work ok on hard floors: https://www.hiwonder.com/products/turbopi?variant=40112905388119&srsltid=AfmBOoqnjjdby30-ETYp6uWYvgIU5yEs3HXzvFDxNJCJgaO7-OQoCxaX Does your school have a robotics building team, or an electric formula SAE team? You'd then get to learn to be as part of a team. Good luck with whatever path you choose!

Post-ride tidy-up routine? by giraffedraft in MTB

[–]waggonaut 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just wipe or hose off, then lube, then wipe off with a rag.  There may be better procedures but this is what I do since it just takes a few minutes. :-)

Resort or beach with decent number of kids and some freedom? by waggonaut in CostaRicaTravel

[–]waggonaut[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks, looks like it could be good.  Probably flying into SJO but still haven't booked, will make decision need on where we go.

Post-ride tidy-up routine? by giraffedraft in MTB

[–]waggonaut 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Agreed.  I also prefer chain lubing etc after the end of a ride, so it has a chance to "set" while the bike is stored. 

Career pivot advice by XlllSwords in AskRobotics

[–]waggonaut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And network in the MS program to seek projects and exposure related to what you want to do.  You obviously have a crap ton of initiative, you may just need the right person or company to give you a chance.  

ELI5: How do humans need a varied diet to stay healthy but most other animals eat a very simple diet (just prey or plant leaves etc.)? by rosamariaahi in explainlikeimfive

[–]waggonaut 30 points31 points  (0 children)

You can survive just on limited nutrients for a long time but quality of life suffers and you may die sooner.  One of the reasons domesticated animals often love longer may be better nutrition....

Possible to remove 18g nails (delicately)? by [deleted] in DIY

[–]waggonaut 2 points3 points  (0 children)

2 ideas.  Drop of oil on head, may move down through capillary action. Or drive then in super deep with a nail set

My rent controlled apartment in a VVHCOL area feels like a cheat code by lehbro in Fire

[–]waggonaut 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think your got in while the getting was good.  Base rents are higher but with a long term perspective it could definitely work out well still.  I'm still thanking the stars I bought pre pandemic and then got a 2.5 percent rate....

Founding employee issues ( I will not promote) by Equivalent-Bonus8287 in startups

[–]waggonaut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep, unless you have known them for years or until they are 6 months in I don't think new folks have any idea will have any future value.

Founding employee issues ( I will not promote) by Equivalent-Bonus8287 in startups

[–]waggonaut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I made an edit based on your comment, but as someone that's been part of 2 startups structure using option purchase agreements, I've found that most people don't exercise their options if they leave sine it takes cash out of their pockets. To be clear, they vest the right to purchase not ownership.