Universal Creative ATI/R&D
Engineering Intern
During my time as an ATI/R&D Engineering Intern at Universal Creative, I had the opportunity to contribute to various aspects of robotics projects and interactive experiences to be implemented across the globe. Unfortunately my NDA didn't allow me to take pictures of any of my projects, so my apologies for the lack of images.
In my time at ATI, I designed and implemented multiple FSM-based software frameworks to manage communication, timing, decision-making, and motor movements for an animated robotic figure. These frameworks were created to be used on an existing project; however, I designed them for long-term use across the department, as I saw a need for a robotics software framework that allowed for parallel decision-making and movement without taking up too much computational power. This experience required precise programming to ensure smooth and lifelike motions, as it needed to fit in the overall show.
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Similarly, I programmed the integration and low-level code for a proof-of-concept interactive experience being designed for guests. This system was designed to handle guest input, motor outputs, and inputs from multiple other systems, while still facilitating communication between several programs for the experience.
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I also conducted over 10 tabletop tests and several mounted tests on a sensor to assess its feasibility for ensuring guest containment on ride vehicles. This extensive research was then presented to active project teams for use in the near future.
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My work extended to hardware as well. I wired, soldered, programmed, and assembled a mechanism to test the strength of various cables over hundreds of thousands of cycles, ensuring reliability in high-stress environments. Additionally, I designed and built a power supply bank, with a focus on safety and ease of use, to support the operation of an animated figure. Beyond the electronics tasks, I was also able to utilize my CAD skills, modeling and 3D printing parts for over six different projects in the department.
Even beyond all the technical skills I was able to gain, my time with ATI thrust me into the world of themed entertainment, an industry that has fascinated me for just about my entire life. I was able to see what it took to get a project completed, engaging in multiple presentations to show proof-of-concept and assisted with human-factor testing, gathering insights from over 60 participants to evaluate guest satisfaction with a device in development. I was also fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interact with team members across all different functions of Universal Creative, from full-time team members, to contractors, to project managers, and even vendors. Their unique perspectives taught me to value soft skills as much as the hard skills I acquired while working there, including project management, collaboration, and the perseverance to invent and iterate. Overall, my experience at ATI has equipped me with the ability to assess project needs and combine my software and hardware skills with teamwork to provide creative solutions to any engineering problem.
