PETER SO
  • About
  • Projects
  • Photography
  • Blog

Hi, I'm Peter.

I am a maker focused on closing the technology gap between people and robots for a connected world. 

Projects

Teach a robot to draw a robot
Robot-made latte
High Volume Food Handling
Continuous improvement for high vacuum deposition tool
Custom heater development for medical device processing equipment
Precision machined parts for custom automation machine
Working around the clock during holidays!
Giving the gift of sight to this foundry worker
Fast and precise pick and place
Temperature controlled fluid pump for implantable medical device filling
Toyota Prius Phone Mount Shift Knob
3D Printing with Prusa i3 MK3

Experience

I specialize in the design and creation of custom robotic systems where robots help people perform the dull, repetitive, and oftentimes dangerous tasks we don't want to do. However, this is changing. My experience has exposed me to the entire design-build-commissioning process for high reliability production lines and I am committed to helping people leverage robotics to help achieve their goals. Projects typically start with a conversation and a white board and flow through to a detailed user specification of the desired end product. We then build a timeline for deliverables, acceptance criteria and installation. I have experience installing high volume, precision automation equipment both in the US and China. I have developed an interest in projects where robotics is helping to bring people together, especially with food products.

Picture
Lead Robot Integration Engineer
Vicarious FPC

At Vicarious, I led the hardware design and implementation of standard platforms to be employed under a Robots-As-A-Service (RAAS) business model. Bridging the research and product development teams, I worked with deployment to develop autonomous capabilities for embodied robot systems to quickly learn and detect their environment to perform helpful tasks in the real world. 

Vicarious is developing artificial general intelligence for robots. By combining insights from generative probabilistic models and systems neuroscience, our architecture trains faster, adapts more readily, and generalizes more broadly than AI approaches commonly used today.

Picture
Co-Founder
Nourish Technology Inc.

At Nourish, I developed the initial concept and prototype of the robotic restaurant. I established the California engineering team and built out a mock up commissary and development robotic kitchen that became the company headquarters. 

Nourish Technology builds completely automated restaurants - engineering robotic systems that cook, package, and serve all different types of food and drinks. Our vision is to make high-quality, delicious, and locally sourced food and drinks accessible and affordable to everyone.

Picture

Controls Engineer
​L2F Inc.

I joined as the first engineer to build out the company's robot and machine vision capabilities. Here I received extensive training on vision guided robotic systems. I helped grow the team from three to fifteen and become the first RIA-certified robot system integrator in California. The Middleby Corporation acquired the company to add automation capabilities to line of food prep equipment.
​
Picture

Lead Engineer
CKC Engineering, LLC

Specialized in aseptic and sterilizable manufacturing methods, I acted as a lead mechanical engineer developing mechanisms and fixtures under partner member, Chris Duggan, for the medical and pharmaceutical industries. At CKC Engineering, I received my first exposure to programming PLCs and HMIs for highly regulated process equipment. In addition, I gained hands-on experience with precision machining and equipment deployment.
Picture

Manufacturing Engineer
Solyndra Inc.

Charged with leading the continuous improvement of the routine maintenance of high vacuum deposition equipment, I worked with an engineering team to reduce the turnover time between runs to a single 12-hour shift and saved the company an estimated $500,000 in daily operating costs in machine downtime. The company folded underneath all of us and I learned a challenging lesson  that forced me to reinvent myself.

​​
Full Resume

Picture

​
Peter So

Product Developer, Roboticist, Entrepreneur

​I'm a tech innovator who has cut my teeth designing tailor-made automation equipment for prominent companies in Silicon Valley. With a background in mechanical engineering, first hand experience deploying technology in high-volume, high up-time production lines, and management  with a focus on controls at the University of California, Berkeley and spend my time working to close the skill gap between people and machines. I believe robotics expand our understanding of ourselves and our environment through the pursuit of distilling how we as humans perceive, think, and act in our natural and designed surroundings. I work to build and defend a future where people work fluently with technology to accomplish their goals faster, cheaper and more safely together. 

I have spent the last decade building custom robotic systems for engineering teams at well known companies like Apple, Tesla, and a number of smaller companies learning about real world challenges for people working with automation. 

On my own time, I tinker with my 3D printer, contribute to open-source software, train, travel and dabble in roasting coffee. 

Get In Touch!

Picture


    Subscribe for updates

Subscribe to updates
Submit
Copyright © 2021 Peter So. All rights reserved.
  • About
  • Projects
  • Photography
  • Blog