Havoc Academy prototype
& PIlot Session

My Role: 

- Outlined goals, KPIs, and key stakeholders for Havoc Academy "pilot" phase.

- Compiled market research on relevant existing products and competitors.

- Conducted "discovery calls" with experts and individuals in targeted customer demographics.

- Designed, tested, and sourced a low cost prototype kit.

- Communicated with machinists and suppliers to facilitate medium batch production.

- Planned and hosted a "pilot session" to determine product viability.

- Liaised with strategic partners to plot a path forward for kit development, content generation, and full scale production.

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Project Overview:

​STEAM education has long been a passion of mine, so I was ecstatic to find that NHRL was receptive to the idea of creating an educational program to robotics approachable and accessible to a wide audience. The project was deemed The Havoc Academy, and it's goal was to create a low cost, but high value kit and a program with hours of content and the guidance of experienced staff to enable new makers to embrace science, technology, engineering, art and math under the destructive, enrapturing guise of robotic combat. 

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The intent of the prototype was to create a relatively low cost kit that included a variety of parts, each of which could be the centerpiece of it's own greater lesson. For instance, the drive gearmotors and lifter servo-motor could be used for a lesson on gearing, torque, and motor selection. Assembling the chassis itself would teach familiarity and basic proficiency in hand tools. The electronics system- though simple, would be the perfect opportunity for builders to get hands-on practice with basic electronics and soldering.

 

Though the pilot program was only 5 hours of instruction, a lot of time and energy went into part selection and overall design so that the final product could include a wide variety of topics, parts, and tool access to allow students to explore beyond the kit, and eventually make their own robot. I was honored to spearhead the exploration and development of this venture's prototyping phase and guide it through the completion of its pilot session. 

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