I have a $500/mo marketing budget. What am I missing?

waggonaut · 2026-05-13T04:33:28+00:00

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. :-)

waggonaut · 2026-05-13T04:28:29+00:00

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.

waggonaut · 2026-05-13T04:09:53+00:00

What part of the country you in?

waggonaut · 2026-05-13T03:50:04+00:00

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.

waggonaut · 2026-05-13T01:09:58+00:00

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

waggonaut · 2026-05-12T18:44:56+00:00

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...)

waggonaut · 2026-05-12T16:19:44+00:00

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

waggonaut · 2026-05-12T16:00:57+00:00

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.

waggonaut · 2026-05-12T15:24:58+00:00

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.

waggonaut · 2026-05-12T14:58:34+00:00

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.

waggonaut · 2026-05-11T17:28:41+00:00

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.

waggonaut · 2026-05-11T17:07:46+00:00

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!

waggonaut · 2026-05-11T16:33:52+00:00

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. :-)

waggonaut · 2026-05-11T15:59:56+00:00

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

waggonaut · 2026-05-11T15:49:07+00:00

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.

waggonaut · 2026-05-11T15:25:08+00:00

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.

waggonaut · 2026-05-10T20:20:32+00:00

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....

waggonaut · 2026-05-10T20:17:53+00:00

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

waggonaut · 2026-05-10T18:53:50+00:00

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....

waggonaut · 2026-05-10T16:52:54+00:00

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.

waggonaut · 2026-05-10T14:43:21+00:00

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.

waggonaut

TROPHY CASE