Welcome to another episode of Tech Explosions!
In this episode, we are thrilled to have Daniel Kao, one of the founders of EIM Technology, as our guest. EIM Technology is a pioneering company dedicated to creating portable electronics laboratory devices for makers and educators. Daniel's journey is as fascinating as the innovations his company brings to the table. Born and raised in China, Daniel moved to Canada at the age of 19 to pursue a degree in systems engineering at Simon Fraser University. His passion for hardware and electronics led him to further his studies with a master's degree in biophotonics. It was during this time that he, along with several colleagues from his lab, founded EIM Technology.
EIM Technology's mission is to lower the barrier to entry into the world of electronics for everyone. The company designs and develops convenient, affordable, and accessible equipment, tools, and kits. Among their notable products are the ZULAC portable multifunction instrument and the MEGO portable power supply. In our discussion, Daniel elaborates on these devices and shares exciting news about EIM's upcoming FPGA board project and their Kickstarter campaign.
Daniel recounts the early days of EIM Technology, which began as a collaborative effort among lab colleagues to invent useful gadgets. Their first product, MEGO, was born out of a personal need Daniel had during his research in biophotonics. The MEGO is a portable power supply designed for breadboards, featuring adjustable output voltage and pin headers compatible with breadboards. This innovation eliminates the need for cumbersome wiring, making it easier for students and beginners to power their circuits.
The conversation then shifts to the educational impact of EIM's products. Daniel highlights the growing importance of STEM education and how EIM's tools can significantly lower the barriers for new students and beginners. He shares insights from their research in British Columbia, where high school curriculums have increasingly incorporated electronics and robotics. EIM's products, like the MEGO, have been adopted by several high schools, enabling students to engage in hands-on experiments without the need for expensive, professional lab equipment.
One of the most exciting parts of the interview is Daniel's introduction of their new FPGA board. Unlike traditional FPGA boards that require complex software tools, EIM's new board features a web-based integrated development environment (IDE). This user-friendly platform simplifies the process of designing and programming FPGA applications, making it accessible even for beginners. Daniel provides a live demonstration of the web-based IDE, showcasing how easy it is to create and implement digital functions.
Looking ahead, Daniel shares EIM Technology's vision for the future. The company plans to enhance their existing products, like the ZULAC, by adding more features and higher specifications. They also aim to develop comprehensive teaching materials, including tutorials, project ideas, and videos, to support educators and students in their learning journey.
For those interested in staying updated on EIM Technology's latest projects, Daniel encourages listeners to visit their website and subscribe to their newsletter. He also hints at an upcoming Kickstarter campaign for their new FPGA board, which promises to be a game-changer in the field of electronics education.
Thank you for joining us in this insightful episode. Stay tuned for more exciting discussions on Tech Explosions!
Significant Moments from the Tech Explosions Podcast with Daniel Kao
1. Introduction of Daniel Kao and EIM Technology (00:00:00 - 00:01:30)
- Daniel Kao's background: Grew up in China, moved to Canada at 19, studied systems engineering at Simon Fraser University, and completed a master's degree in biophotonics.
- Founding of EIM Technology: Dedicated to creating portable electronics laboratory devices for makers and educators.
2. EIM Technology's Vision and Products (00:01:30 - 00:03:00)
- Vision: Lower the barrier to entry into electronics for everyone.
- Products: ZULAC portable multifunction instrument and MEGO portable power supply.
- Upcoming FPGA board project and Kickstarter campaign.
3. Origin of EIM Technology and MEGO (00:03:00 - 00:08:00)
- Initial motivation: Personal need for a portable power supply during biophotonics research.
- Development: Created MEGO, a portable power supply for breadboards, with adjustable output voltage and pin headers compatible with breadboards.
- Kickstarter success: Funded the initial production and gathered a customer base.
4. Transition to STEM Education Market (00:08:00 - 00:12:00)
- Research: High school curriculum in British Columbia includes electronics and robotics.
- Market potential: High schools and STEM agencies showed interest in MEGO for educational purposes.
- Bulk purchases: Some high schools deployed MEGO to hundreds of students.
5. Development of ZULAC (00:12:00 - 00:15:00)
- Feedback from educators: Need for small, multifunctional devices for teaching electronics.
- ZULAC: A portable multifunction instrument designed based on feedback from STEM educators.
6. FPGA Board Development (00:15:00 - 00:20:00)
- Motivation: Lower the barrier to learning FPGA, similar to how Arduino simplified microcontrollers.
- First-generation FPGA board: Simplified learning process for beginners.
- New FPGA board: Upcoming Kickstarter project with a web-based IDE for easier programming.
7. Web-based IDE for FPGA Board (00:20:00 - 00:30:00)
- Simplified programming: Web-based IDE eliminates the need for complex software installations.
- Demonstration: Daniel shows how to create a simple AND gate using the web-based IDE.
- USB flash drive mode: Simplifies the process of programming the FPGA board.
8. Future Plans for EIM Technology (00:30:00 - 00:35:00)
- Enhanced products: Improve existing products like ZULAC with higher specifications and more features.
- Educational materials: Develop comprehensive tutorials, project ideas, and videos to support learning.
9. Contact Information and Kickstarter Campaign (00:35:00 - 00:40:00)
- Website: EIM Technology
- Subscription: Users can subscribe to receive updates.
- Kickstarter: Upcoming campaign for the new FPGA board.
10. Conclusion and Future Discussions (00:40:00 - 00:42:00)
- Daniel's return to Vancouver: Plans to continue discussions and updates on future projects.
- Invitation for future podcasts: Daniel expresses interest in returning to discuss new developments.
Here is a list of resources, tips, and advice mentioned by Daniel Cao in the podcast:
Resources:
1. EIM Technology Products:
- MEGO Portable Power Supply: A portable power supply for breadboards with adjustable output voltage and built-in battery.
- ZULAC Portable Multifunction Instrument: A compact device combining multiple electronic functions.
- First Generation FPGA Board: An FPGA board designed to be user-friendly for beginners.
- Upcoming FPGA Board: A new FPGA board with a web-based development environment, to be launched on Kickstarter.
2. Websites and Platforms:
- EIM Technology Website: For product information and updates.
- Kickstarter: For upcoming campaigns and product launches.
3. Software:
- Lattice Diamond IDE: An industry-standard editor for FPGA programming.
- EIM Technology's Web-Based IDE: A simplified, user-friendly web-based development environment for FPGA programming.
4. Educational Materials:
- Tutorials and Documentation: Detailed guides and tutorials for using EIM Technology products, including a comprehensive tutorial for the first-generation FPGA board.
- Future Educational Content: Plans to create more tutorials, project ideas, and educational materials.
Here is a list of tips, and advice mentioned by Daniel Cao in the podcast:
Tips and Advice
1. Start with Personal Needs:
- Daniel emphasized that many successful products start by solving a personal problem. For instance, the MEGO portable power supply was initially created to address his own need for a portable power source during his research.
2. Iterative Development:
- The development of MEGO involved around 10 rounds of revisions before finalizing the product. Iterative development and continuous improvement are crucial.
3. Market Research:
- Conduct thorough market research to identify potential applications for your product. Daniel's team researched the high school curriculum in British Columbia to identify the need for electronics education tools.
4. Focus on Accessibility:
- Lowering the barrier to entry is a key focus. Products like the MEGO and the FPGA board are designed to be user-friendly and accessible to beginners, including high school students.
5. Educational Integration:
- Engage with educators to understand their needs and how your products can fit into educational settings. Daniel's team worked with high school teachers to integrate their products into the curriculum.
6. Simplify Complex Technologies:
- Simplify complex technologies to make them more approachable. The FPGA board, for example, is designed to be as easy to use as an Arduino board, with a web-based IDE to simplify programming.
7. Documentation and Tutorials:
- Provide comprehensive documentation and tutorials. Daniel mentioned the importance of having detailed learning materials to help beginners understand and use their products effectively.
8. Feedback and Improvement:
- Collect feedback from users to continuously improve your products. The feedback from the initial FPGA board led to the development of a more user-friendly version with a web-based IDE.
9. Combining Features:
- Consider integrating multiple features into a single device to increase its utility. Daniel mentioned plans to create an enhanced version of the Zoolark with more advanced features.
10. Focus on STEM Education:
- Recognize the growing importance of STEM education and develop products that cater to this market. Daniel's company focuses on creating tools that make learning electronics easier for students and educators.
Resources Mentioned:
1. EIM Technology Products:
- MEGO Portable Power Supply: A portable power supply designed for breadboards with adjustable output voltage and built-in battery.
- ZULAC Portable Multifunction Instrument: A small, multifunctional device for electronics experiments.
- FPGA Board: A user-friendly FPGA board designed to simplify learning and development, with a web-based IDE for easy programming.
2. Web-Based IDE:
- A new web-based integrated development environment for programming the FPGA board, designed to be as user-friendly as the Arduino IDE.
3. Kickstarter Campaign:
- Upcoming Kickstarter campaign for the new version of the FPGA board with enhanced features and a web-based IDE.
4. Educational Materials:
- Comprehensive tutorials and project ideas, including a 150-page tutorial covering basic to advanced FPGA applications.
5. Contact and Subscription:
- EIM Technology's website offers a subscription feature for updates and a contact form for direct communication.
Websites and Platforms:
1. EIM Technology Website: EIM Technology
2. Kickstarter: Platform for launching new projects and products (specific link to be provided by EIM Technology upon launch).
This is an edited and shortened version of the full transcript to make it easier for you to read.
Peter: Philip, great to have you on the Tech Explorations podcast again. How are you today?
Philip: Oh, great. Yeah, I'm looking forward to having an interview with you. This is your second one, right? You've done one about two years ago.
Peter: That's right. And it's an opportunity to do a bit of reflection on what I've done in the last couple of years. Yeah. And those were not just ordinary couple of years, especially the last one, right? Over the last year, we had the pandemic still raging across the world. Vaccinations, thankfully, are being rolled out. How was that year for you?
Philip: Well, it didn't stop me. I probably did about 100 projects last year. I did some projects related to the pandemic, like thermal cameras and social distancing tools. I was curious about what would happen if we became isolated and had to rely on our own technology. Could we make our own masks with 3D printers? But a lot of that didn't happen because supply lines reopened. I have a lot of technology ready to go but hasn't really been used.
Peter: I'm glad you said that. I was reading an article that mentioned how technology and science prevailed over the last year. Our technology infrastructure held, we didn't lose electricity, we didn't go hungry, and we had a vaccine in record time. It's the politics that failed. What do you think as an inventor?
Philip: I was really surprised that I could use technology to have social interactions with seniors. I was invited to a presentation in October with about 50 seniors all engaged with Zoom. They were all familiar with it, and I thought that was fantastic. They kept on going and were learning new things. Osprey, a meetup group in Sydney, had to switch to an online format, and that's where the whole thing fell apart. Osprey is very unstructured, whereas U3A (University of the Third Age) has very structured meetings. Maybe that's the key.
Peter: Great point. The structure was missing, which is something you need when you're online. So, I know you've got a presentation prepared for us. Before we jump into it, could you give us a summary?
Philip: I'll be emphasizing my current experiences, especially with senior people that are retired. It's to give them a hobby and involve them in what their grandkids are doing in STEM education. It's about having that conversation and actually making and doing a STEM project. It's a big challenge because many seniors have never done any programming in their lives. So, I'm starting online, teaching them programming, which leads to a STEM project.
Peter: So, you want to join generations using technology and get older generations into STEM education. Why do you think that's important?
Philip: They hear about STEM from their children and grandkids and wonder how it's different from what they learned at school. One fundamental difference is learning by doing, as opposed to learning by rote or from a textbook. The idea is that grandparents can have an interesting conversation about what they did in STEM and how it relates to society. It's about social interaction and keeping the mind active.
Peter: Interesting. So, you're saying you have two objectives: connecting grandparents to grandkids through STEM and reconnecting older people to the world by introducing them to modern technologies. Is that what you're trying to achieve?
Philip: Yeah, definitely. Technology has become better, so it can be packaged in a way that other people, not just programmers, can understand the concepts. I use an analogy like playing with Lego and putting the blocks together. My programming style is like a blocky language, similar to Scratch. It's like putting the blocks together, just like you play with Lego. And it's only because if I was doing this five years ago with an Arduino Uno, you had to be very clever before you hit the memory limitations. Today, you're not constrained, and those resources make it easier for lots of people to engage in this activity.
Peter: Okay, Philip, let's get into it. I'm eager to see your presentation.
Philip: Okay, I'm going to share my screen. I'll quickly go through my bio. My career has always been a conflict between trying to be a manager, getting lots of income for the family, and making something interesting. I started with clinical medicine, putting technology into hospitals. Then I moved to another government department, working on traffic control systems and building robots for testing roads. I worked on various projects, including the transport management center in Sydney and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I collaborated with Nicta, now part of CSIRO, on projects like health bridge monitoring and infrastructure working with cars on the road.
Peter: You've worked on a lot of innovative and practical problems. These are the kinds of problems that governments would be concerned with. What are you focusing on now in retirement?
Philip: One of the big problems is the digital divide in STEM education. My eldest son, Jason, has autism, and interacting with him using technology helped with his education. I wanted to share what I did and keep learning alive. I've done workshops in libraries and noticed a disparity in resources between different areas. I'm also working with the CSIRO in their STEM school partnership to help rural schools that don't have a STEM teacher. I've been paired with a school in the Bega Valley to see how we can work together.
Peter: Could you tell us what the University of the Third Age and the CSIRO are?
Philip: The University of the Third Age started in Paris about 30 years ago and is now a worldwide organization. It's called the University of the Third Age because when you retire, you have opportunities to keep your brain active and keep learning. It's about social engagement among people who are retired. CSIRO is an Australian government organization dedicated to science. They apply science to solving Australia's problems, particularly in agriculture. They invented Wi-Fi and have done a lot in radio astronomy and other areas of science.
Peter: So, what solutions have you recognized and worked on?
Philip: I've been making things, putting on courses for kids, and collaborating with start-up companies. I did a workshop on artificial intelligence and robotics, using the Jetson Nano. I also work with seniors, helping them use technology and lobbying politicians about STEM education. I've networked with maker groups like Osprey and Sydney Robotics and STEM Education.
Peter: What kind of projects do you think are more appropriate for seniors, assuming they have no background in programming or technology?
Philip: Working with Zoom is difficult because you have to flash the memory on the small computer. Face-to-face meetings are essential for the first few sessions. I use my experience as a lecturer at UTS, where I learned the fundamentals of teaching and learning. I explore the history of clocks and watches as part of the context for the first project. It's about critical thinking and creativity. Some seniors might not be able to do the whole programming, and that's okay. I critique learning processes and encourage them to read and understand the code.
Peter: Do you see yourself more as a teacher or a mentor?
Philip: I think being a teacher is probably the last role. I want to facilitate their learning and give them a challenge. Together, we can get there. It's not just about following a presentation but also about having a conversation and giving feedback. I use the role of mentor with teachers and people who want to start a new company offering STEM services to schools.
Peter: Thank you, Philip. That was amazing. The amount of productivity and the fact that you're sharing your work with others and helping them learn is incredible. Thank you for sharing that with us today.
Philip: Thank you, Peter, for the opportunity to have this discussion.