Girls in robotics at Boston Dynamics give profession recommendation at MassRobotics occasion

By Eugene Demaitre | September 13, 2024 – the Robotic Report

Boston Dynamics hosted MassRobotics’ newest Girls in Robotics occasion. Credit score: Sayo Tirrell, MassRobotics

WALTHAM, Mass. — Girls could also be underrepresented in robotics, however there are alternatives for individuals who can collaborate, study, and mentor, stated audio system at a Girls in Robotics occasion held by MassRobotics this week.

Solely 19% of robotics engineers are feminine in 2024, based on CareerExplorer. That’s decrease than the 35% of U.S. tech staff who’re feminine, as reported by The World Financial institution.

MassRobotics, which promotes the robotics ecosystem in Massachusetts and past, is among the many organizations working to enhance this illustration and to assist business develop and faucet a wider pool of expertise.

Boston Dynamics staff share their experiences

Boston Dynamics Inc. hosted practically 200 attendees at its headquarters. The next panelists from the firm mentioned their careers:

• Radhika Agrawal, software program engineer working with the Spot quadruped platform
• Crystal Beckvold, senior supervisor for the Atlas humanoid technician crew
• Erica Liu, senior director, provide chain and procurement
• Christine White, head of companion and buyer success advertising and marketing
• Denise Wong, senior technical lead and program supervisor for the Stretch truck-unloading robotic
• Connie Zhang, workers software program engineer

The audio system shared a variety of non-public experiences and workforce challenges however discovered that they’d comparable recommendation.

“You might be informed you may be something you need, however you need to ask for alternatives and discover flexibility,” stated White. “I additionally wished to take time to have a household, which is a selection males don’t sometimes must make. The trail is winding, and make it your individual.”

“In my case, provide chain is all the time in movement,” Liu famous. “We’ve to make strategic choices about off-the-shelf versus customized know-how.”

The Boston Dynamics panelists, from second left: Connie Zhang, Crystal Beckvold, Christine White, Radhika Agrawal, Erica Liu, and Denise Wong. Credit score: Sayo Tirrell, MassRobotics

Advocate for oneself, say audio system

When requested about what qualities she delivered to her function, Agrawal replied: “I’ve noticed the dynamics of individuals. Our empathy may be each draining and an asset.”

“I’ve labored in mining, which is male-dominated, and I discovered that being a lady truly lowered the limitations for adoption,” Wong recalled. “My job was to get them to make use of robots, they usually stated, ‘If she will be able to use this robotic, so can I.’”

The audio system additionally noticed that ladies in know-how shouldn’t be afraid to be as daring as their male counterparts in our society.

“It is best to apply for roles you’re eager about, even in the event you’re unsure you’re absolutely certified,” stated Zhang. “Simply do it.”

“Protecting your head down and doing job doesn’t equal recognition,” White stated. “It is advisable to present your worth and advocate for your self.”

Agrawal added: “Encompass your self with good folks, and attempt to be the perfect. Don’t be intimidated. I used to be informed to ‘develop a thick pores and skin,’ however that was a possibility to return and educate folks.”

“After I was at Black & Decker, I requested why I wasn’t acknowledged as a key contributor,” stated Liu. “That’s one other lesson — search widespread floor, and align your long-term objectives.”

Boston Dynamics’ Spot quadruped exterior the Girls in Robotics gathering. Credit score: Sayo Tirrell, MassRobotics

Be a relentless learner, say girls in robotics

The panelists agreed that curiosity and a willingness to pivot helped them of their careers.

“I labored in a machine store doing high quality management, after which Google purchased the corporate,” stated Beckvold. “Everybody was supportive, and I took over tasks, from welding to operating hydraulics, R&D, and electrical. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s enjoyable to invent as you go, bringing issues to life.”

“I labored at Google X and labored towards a Ph.D., then switched,” Zhang stated. “It’s OK to decide out and swap to one thing you’re captivated with. Take the time to determine it out.”

“I stumbled into different teams,” stated White. “Good managers will see the necessity; they don’t all the time understand how groups will come collectively. Be daring about expressing your pursuits.”

The panelists addressed a full home at Boston Dynamics. Credit score: Sayo Tirrell, MassRobotics

Discover a ‘private board of administrators’

It’s a good suggestion to have each formal and casual networks of mentors and mentees, stated the Boston Dynamics staffers.

“I’ve a private board of administrators and now mentor two folks,” stated Agrawal. 

“A few of my mentors had been managers, others had been co-workers,” Beckvold famous. “I’ve given lunchtime talks, and as a supervisor have helped techs study mechanical meeting, testing, and software program to take the burden of engineers.”

“It has been a pleasure to see mentees develop in accountability as I’ve,” stated Liu. “It helps to speak by way of and hearken to issues, and mentoring can be a studying expertise for ourselves.”

MassRobotics and Boston Dynamics present alternatives for girls in robotics to community and mentor. Credit score: Eugene Demaitre

Overcome uncertainty, say girls in robotics

When requested about recommendation for girls simply beginning their careers in robotics, Wong replied, “Don’t be paralyzed by uncertainty. You’ll be able to all the time ask for assist.”

“I’ve ping-ponged round in my profession,” stated White. “Keep open, and don’t be afraid to make errors.”

Beckvold added, “There’s no unhealthy factor to learn to do. I’ve been a coder, a physique mechanic, and a welder, they usually all complement each other. Study the whole lot you’ll be able to.”

A current graduate requested the panel find out how to discover her long-term objectives after spending years learning robotics.

“Do stuff that offers you satisfaction,” stated White. “After all, you need to assist your self financially, but it surely’s not about working; it’s about gaining expertise.”

“I used to be very goal-oriented,” Wong stated. “If you wish to work in robotics, you’ll have short-term objectives, however after being at an organization for six and a half years, I needed to ask, ‘Am I nonetheless studying? Do I benefit from the day-to-day work?’ We’ve job mobility, and the dearth of range on this business means we will convey new views.”

“Give your self time to determine and study from errors,” reiterated Liu. “Construct self-accountability.”

One other attendee requested whether or not it’s higher to specialize or generalize.

“There are several types of folks — the ladder climber, the explorer, and the deep diver,” replied White. “Observe your character, your intestine.”

“You may also be multiple,” suggested Wong.

Boston Dynamics helps girls in robotics, stated the audio system. Credit score: Sayo Tirrell, MassRobotics

See MassRobotics at RoboBusiness

MassRobotics can be collaborating in RoboBusiness 2024, which shall be on Oct. 16 and 17 in Santa Clara, Calif. Joyce Sidopoulos, co-founder and chief of operations at MassRobotics, will share greatest practices in Half 1 of the Robotics Startup Bootcamp.

Sidopoulos may also host the Girls in Robotics Luncheon on Day 2 of the occasion. Marita McGinn, director of the MassRobotics Accelerator, will focus on development and scaling with founders in Half 2 of the Robotics Startup Bootcamp.

MassRobotics is a strategic companion of WTWH Media, which produces The Robotic Report, RoboBusiness, Automated Warehouse, and the Robotics Summit & Expo.

Register now.

MassRobotics continues assist for girls in robotics

MassRobotics’ Jumpstart Fellowship Program trains highschool women within the technical abilities wanted for robotics and know-how internships in collaboration with the College of Massachusetts, Lowell, and companion corporations. The group additionally works with the Girls in Robotics Boston Chapter and a Month-to-month Ladies Lunch with its resident startups.

As well as, nominations are open till Dec. 20, 2024, for the 2025 Robotics Medals, which MassRobotics awards together with a $50,000 prize to “a feminine researcher for substantial achievements and contributions within the area of robotics.”

The Rising Star award comes with a $5,000 prize for “an early-career skilled lady making strides in analysis that can result in important influence within the area of robotics.” The 2024 Robotics Medal Winner shall be introduced later this month, adopted by a gala in Boston on Oct. 26.

About The Writer

Eugene Demaitre

Eugene Demaitre is editorial director of the robotics group at WTWH Media. He was senior editor of The Robotic Report from 2019 to 2020 and editorial director of Robotics 24/7 from 2020 to 2023. Previous to working at WTWH Media, Demaitre was an editor at BNA (now a part of Bloomberg), Computerworld, TechTarget, and Robotics Enterprise Evaluate.

Demaitre has participated in robotics webcasts, podcasts, and conferences worldwide. He has a grasp’s from the George Washington College and lives within the Boston space.