Robert Watkins

Self Driven Autonomy engineer with a vision for a green future. A future where we achieve a closed-loop green society through autonomy.
As a child I was awestruck when I opened the dc motor of my RC-car, to find that it was filled with primarily copper coils, my journey of learning had only just begun, only now the RC cars I play with are a little bigger and my vision ever slightly closer.

My passion and expertise are in designing and executing turnkey solutions using autonomy for the process, automotive and maritime industries. 
I specialise in working with multidisciplinary teams, creating a shared vision and individual responsibility to collaboratively achieve project milestones. 
I have Proficiency in designing fail-safe complex real-time control algorithms and implementing them in C++ and PLCs (ISO26262, SOTIF, UL4600, IEC 61508). 
I have Proficiency in designing, building, and commissioning electrical & mechanical systems and ensuring the relevant industrial safety standards are adhered to.
I focus on listening and learning new approaches to solutions, including AI and machine learning in real-time diagnostics and adaptive control systems.

Born In Cape Town, South Africa, graduated in Mechatronic Engineering from Stellenbosch University. Throughout my education, I was apprised of how to balance studies with sports and social. Leveraging my experience from delivering successful projects in the solar, water, maritime, and autonomous mobility industries I am determined to create that balance between technology and the natural environment.

Nature has perfected its processes & mechanisms over 1000's of years to create efficient, no-waste systems. I believe with automation and AI we can deliver efficient simple designs which will enable us to truly achieve net zero and a more prosperous future for us all. If you share my vision then let's discuss the world of tomorrow.

At AI Drivers which is a autonomous mobility company, bringing AI enabled mobility services to the port and industry sector.

I Lead the Drive by Wire and sensing Division for Truck & small platforms, (Mechanical, Electrical & Control & Sensors).  I Successfully deployed multiple diesel and electric autonomous vehicles across 4 countries. I Co-developed navigation algorithms and Machine Learning. The design architect for Perception Traffic rules and prediction. 

At Thames Water Clean & waste water plants control system upgrade of over 1000 sites on the Thames.

I was Responsible for System Engineering tasks, Design Documentation, Conducting first IFAT, Site Commissioning.

I Developing control logic on PLC & SCADA.

I Developed Python programs for large data analysis & automation. Reduced labour intensive tasks by a factor of 20 (40hrs/2hrs).

At Solar Energy Company for Commercial Projects.

I was part of the R&D team working on optimizing battery systems by developing python based algorithms on live and historical datasets. 

Certification in AI & ML from Stanford Online

B.Eng in Mechatronics from Stellenbosch University with a focus on automated mobility.