Futureneer.com - Imagine. Design. Engineer the Future.

Here you can find out what I can offer you, your company or your clients.

I am an engineer and designer of many talents. I hold degrees in optical engineering and robotics, and I have worked and consulted for companies in the fields of aerospace, robotics, optics and national defense.

I am a US Citizen and have worked previously on ITAR restricted programs and hardware.

Much of my work has been under proprietary control, and thus much of the work I have done I do not make available. I am committed to my client's privacy, first and foremost. Should you be interested in my services, I would be happy to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement to protect your intellectual property.

If you would like to discuss any of my past work, please contact me.

Whether you need custom designed vision systems, mirrors detectors or camera for a new product, or you need help specifying an optical system for an existing platform, I can help. I specialize in assisting companies who are not necessarily experts in optical engineering, but need to integrate an optical system with their design.

From a camera for taking pictures or recording video, to a vision or laser system for navigation or sensing, I can provide expert advice on the design, integration and manufacturing or procurement of the system. Are you interested in a commercially available system, rather than a custom design? I can help you select the best platform for your needs.

"Wait... doesn't this thing need
a camera on it?"

Don't wait until the last minute to include optics in your product. I am happy to begin working with you at the conceptual phase of your design, where we can create a seamless integration of optics into your products functional paradigm.

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I have worked on several robotic platforms, including mobile systems designed for outer space and underground mines as well as land based systems. I have worked on pointing mechanisms, manipulation hardware, laser sensing and vision systems. If your project has a robotic component or requires a vision system for mapping, localization or navigation, please contact me.

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I am proud to have created several concept visualizations for new devices and products. My imagery has been feature in PC Magazine and popular blogs such as Engadget. I am committed to excellent visual communication, where the design and operation of a highly technical device is made easy to understand for management, investors and the general public. I create beautiful, lifelike imagery to show products and concepts in real world situation and use scenarios.

If you have an idea, design or concept and need imagery, operational diagrams or other media to present to non-technical individuals (or you simply want gorgeous renderings to show off your design) I can work with you to create dynamic, memorable and effective materials.

I can work with existing CAD models, or generate new drawings or illustrations based on your input and specifications. I am also happy to help with branding, logos and other necessities for a new product or concept.

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Reflector Array as seen from Mars orbit.
Array and illuminated area from the Martian surface.
Reflector vehicles en route to Mars.
Vehicles beginning to deploy.
Vehicles in various stages of deployment.

Click the numbers below the slide show to advance the images.

In 2006 I was approached by Rigel Woida, friend and fellow student at the University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences. He was working on a NASA grant for a Mars Reflector system. The idea was that using large, inflatable mirrors in Mars orbit, you could focus enough light continuously on one area so that the average ambient temperature of that area would increase. You could provide enough light to maintain a constant raised temperature over a landing site or survey area, enabling simplified human exploration gear. I completed several conceptual illustrations of the system in orbit and viewed from the surface.

My illustration was featured in several on line articles as well as the December 2006 issue of PC Magazine. Click here to see that article.

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Reflector Vehicle in flight configuration.
Vehicle sans balloon doors.
Mylar balloon begins to inflate.
Balloon continues to inflate.
Reflector balloon fully deployed.

Click the numbers below the slide show to advance the images.

As part of the Mars Reflector project, I was tasked with designing a simple concept spacecraft which would house the expanding mirror. I generated the basic concept as well as several novel views of the approach of the craft to mars and the subsequent deployment.

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The Google Lunar X-PRIZE is a competition set forth by Google and the X-PRIZE Foundation. The objective of the competition is to land a robotic vehicle on the moon, and perform various tasks. I was a team member of Carnegie Mellon's X-PRIZE team, Astrobotic Technologies.

As part of nearly two years of work with Astrobotic, I was in charge of the design of an optical vision system for the craft as well as conceptual renders of the vehicle and its systems. I also worked to build and field test several prototypes along with other team members. The following projects showcase my contributions to the Astrobotic Team.

More videos about Astrobotic, and our robot, Red Rover, can bee seen in the media section.

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Cutaway view of a single board camera.
Cutaway of lens system with support structure,
Camera board, heat sink and hard points.
Render of the rover vision and com system.
View of camera system and wiring diagram.
Overhead view of cameras and antenna.
Final design of vision system.

Click the numbers below the slide show to advance the images.

My primary responsibility at Astrobotic was to design a space worthy optical system for the lunar rover. The system needed to accomplish several things. The system required a pair of stereo cameras for 3D navigation and mapping. There needed to be a zoom capable lens, to achieve high resolution close ups of the lunar surface, and the entire system needed to survive in the harsh heat and cold, vacuum and radiation environment of the moon and space. Another challenge was designing the system using existing commercial hardware. In general, developing hardware from scratch was too costly, and it was easier to take a well built system for machine vision and modify it for use in space.

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Mirror view showing honeycomb support structure.
Right view of mirror structure
View of mirror face
Radial structure and mounting option.
Rover self viewing image render.

Click the numbers below the slideshow to advance the images.

Another goal of the Rover's camera system was to view itself. This would not only satisfy the X-PRIZE requirements of self viewing, but would provide the opportunity for sponsorship and logos to be placed on the robot and be viewed in the lunar context. For this purpose, I designed two parabolic mirrors which would be attached to the rover, giving the top mounted camera system a commanding view of the robot's front and sides. See image 5 for a view of what this will look like.

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Mirror view showing honeycomb support structure.
Right view of mirror structure
View of mirror face
Radial structure and mounting option.
Rover self viewing image render.

Click the numbers below the slideshow to advance the images.

Another of my responsibilities at Astrobotic was providing beautiful imagery of our work for investors and the public. Most of these were the CAD renders you see above, including the selection of materials and environments to provide the most lifelike representation of the hardware as possible.

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