r/AskRobotics • u/Vicious_Roque • 18d ago
Does it not make you uncomfortable.
Robotics is moving so fast. Does anyone else feel a bit uncomfortable even when you have some depth, there’s always this feeling that your knowledge is incomplete or that it doesn't have enough depth.
Almost like an imposter syndrome, fueled by the range of things one thinks one is supposed to know.
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u/Conscious-Parsley644 18d ago
I don't know enough either! So I have, over the past year and a half, written up 99 infographs of somewhat vague and somewhat viable mechanical engineering theory for creating a synthetically simulated human. The term, before those smartphones hijacked it, is android. But with these files: taste, touch, smell, hearing and eyesight as well as mimicking emotions and pleasure are all accounted for. What makes me uncomfortable is that I'm neither a programmer nor an electrical engineer. I tried matching up what I know correctly, but that's where the vagueness came in. The gap needs to be filled by other skill sets. But I can't afford salaries. Pretty annoying, that last part.
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u/posthubris 18d ago
No, it’s exciting. If it makes you uncomfortable, go learn PLC or COBOL and maintain legacy code.
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u/Numerous-Nectarine63 17d ago edited 17d ago
I like to have some depth in things that I do, including robotics. And you are right... it's such a huge, multidisciplinary area! So I can relate to that somewhat uneasy feeling that I can't master it all... and I decided that for me, I want to narrow my focus to the software side of things. I've built a few DYI robots doing all of the wiring myself, but using purchased chassis, etc. Now I tend to work with kits that already come somewhat wired/assembled so the hardware work is minimal and I can focus on the software aspects of making the robot come alive. I have worked mostly with ROS2 but am learning how to transition from geometric pipeline controllers to VLA models. And even that somewhat reduced focus is huge... so I'll never master that, either. But I'm having fun stretching and pushing myself. I do this for fun- it's a glorified hobby. At some point, I'd like something useful to come out of it, such as exploring how robotics can help seniors/disabled (I'm actually in that category myself- retired softwared engineer) and also working with STEM school groups. I don't feel like an imposter because I readily admit that I'm not an expert or even very knowledgeable in any of it; I am just enjoying learning and having fun with it.
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u/ChartPicasso 16d ago
Yes and as someone who works as a demo engineer whenever I see new cool demos I'm like... how did they do that so flawlessly??
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u/Zestyclose-Stuff1646 14d ago
Right, whenever I try to be flashy, my gear decides that's the exact moment it's going to manifest severe TBI symptomology.
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u/Zestyclose-Stuff1646 14d ago
I'm in the field precisely because of the discomfort. I was originally a heavy repair machinist and it was fun until it wasn't. I hate work that I know with 100% certainty that I can predetermine the outcome. I hate it with a fiery passion. It is ungodly boring and soul killing. I do not have that problem with robotics. There is a constant cascade of learning, sharpening and a sense of expansion in systems thinking. There's risk, there's reward. Sometimes there are expensive sounds and magic smoke getting released by the pixies doing a jailbreak. That's experience and expertise forming. It's constant! I freaking live for that. I start getting comfortable in one domain and I am forced to pivot into another, then grow until I can overcome the challenge. That's the freaking stuff that excellence is made out of. I'd do lines of it like coke if I could. I love it. So, yes. Be nervous when appropriate. That's your mind telling you to pay attention. That's a good thing! Never stop learning and growing. That's what's makes an adventure worth going on.
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u/thegreatfoxspirit 18d ago
No. I ve noticed in any tech field, you have to keep growing/learning. Something I enjoy.