Owen William
Cawthorne
Robotics · Mechatronics · AI Development
Profile
I’m an Ontario-based Grade 12 student and independent developer exploring robotics, mechanical design, electronics, and machine learning. I build physical prototypes, test them in real conditions, and use each result—including failures—to guide the next iteration.
Selected engineering projects
Multi-Sport Paddling Performance Tracker
A functional GPS-based paddling tracker MVP combining motion sensing, a touchscreen interface, wireless connectivity, and a custom enclosure, now being refined after large-scale field testing.
Initial independent designer and developer; subsequent collaborative development
MechaSim
An experimental Windows robotics simulation and training application for constructing mechanisms, testing control strategies, and exploring learned locomotion.
Product concept, requirements, research direction, testing, and iterative development direction
Custom Brushless Motor
A hand-built brushless motor proof of concept that progressed through winding experiments to a 3D-printed assembly with custom speed measurement and Arduino-based control.
Independent designer, builder, and tester
Technical skills
Mechanical design and fabrication: Autodesk Fusion 360; Parametric CAD modelling; Mechanical assemblies; 3D printing; Rapid prototyping; Mechanical troubleshooting; Early laser-cutting experimentation
Electronics and embedded systems: ESP32; Arduino; Raspberry Pi; Embedded electronics integration; I²C and serial communication; Sensor integration; Basic PCB design; Battery-powered electronics; Motor-control experimentation
Robotics and control: Robot mechanism design; Simulated locomotion; Robot control experiments; Motion pre-training; Reinforcement-learning experimentation; PID control concepts; Inverse-kinematics experimentation; Sim-to-real research goals
Software and AI workflows: AI-assisted application development; Codex and other AI coding workflows; Local large-language-model experimentation; Command-line interfaces; Git and GitHub workflows; Requirements definition; Software testing and debugging; Foundational Java programming; Arduino IDE experience
Research, media, and field work: DaVinci Resolve; Drone videography; Product field testing; Technical research; User feedback analysis
Currently developing: Independent advanced programming; Mathematical foundations of machine learning and control theory; More advanced PCB design; Resin 3D printing — planned; CNC machining — planned; Physical deployment of learned robotic controllers — not yet validated
Experience
Staples — Sales Associate
Approximately August 2025–present; exact start date to confirm
Part-time work in Oshawa, Ontario, including customer assistance, retail operations, merchandising, and occasional cashier duties.
Dragon Boat Club — Seasonal Staff
Summer 2026
Helped participants launch boats safely, coordinated activities, monitored paddlers from a safety boat, and contributed drone videography for promotional coverage. Specific employer name to be confirmed before publication.
Education
Ontario Grade 12 student. Ontario Secondary School Diploma expected June 2027, subject to confirmation. Interested in studying mechatronics, robotics, and AI-related engineering.
Certifications
Boating licence / operator certification — exact credential to confirm. First-aid certification — qualification and validity dates to confirm.
Activities
Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium (RYLS) — attended after nomination through Rotary. Rotary Club of Whitby involvement. Attendance at Durham angel-investor meetings. High-school robotics team. Six years of competitive hockey.