Nathan Yi Cai

What Do I Do?

I’m an Embedded Systems Engineer based in Cambridge, MA.  I use my expertise in programming languages, CAD tools, and hardware like 3D printing and electronics to explore robotics system integration and develop streamlining tools.

Designing a Modular Robot

Why pick one, when you can choose them all?

A myriad of different weapon types exist in Combat Robotics, each with its pros and cons. Most robots are only of a single weapon type, only changing smaller attachments to compensate for their shortcomings.

But what if we can create a simple, effective, and quickly interchangeable module weapon system that can compensate for and exploit the limitations of all weapon types?

1st Law is my answer, with a quick-change modular weapon system that allows me to equip the optimal weapon style best against my opponents.

Design a Full-body Spinner

A good defense in a strong offense!

The weight restrictions of Combat Robotics often result in a tradeoff between armor, mobility, and power. Picking two to focus on yields good results, but there is a way to combine two into one, so one can have all three.

A full-body spinner takes the saying "A good defense is a strong offense" literally. The weapon is the most dangerous and protected part, so we make the entire exterior the weapon. 

The Weeping Angel

Sadly without the time travel.

Weeping Angels are hostile alien creatures from the famous show, Doctor Who. They take the appearance of commonly seen stone angel status and sneak up on their prey. However, their one weakness is they can not move when looked at! 

So it would be fun to build one in real life. Using object identification, facial recognition, and LIDAR mapping, we can make a robot that chases after people and avoids obstacles, but only when no one is looking at it!

Careful not to Blink!