Accelerated Systems Inc.

Mechanical / Software Engineer Co-op · Jan – Dec 2022 · Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

  • Mechanical / Software Engineer Co-op, Sep – Dec 2022
  • Machinist & Technical Support Co-op, Jan – Apr 2022

Kotlin · ROS2 · C++ · SolidWorks · CNC Programming · Machining · Manufacturing

Across two co-op terms at Accelerated Systems, I worked between the machine shop and software for electric vehicle drive systems. The first term was hands-on: designing parts in SolidWorks, programming CNC machines, and building test hardware for motor development.

In the second, I added software, building a Kotlin control app and C++/ROS2 nodes for the company's autonomous lawnmower.

Machining and Manufacturing

What I built: Test hardware and production parts supporting motor development:

  • Welded custom fixtures to secure motors during test runs
  • Designed and built a watertight jacket to house a waterproof motor
  • Machined a mold for the waterproof grommets that seal the motor's electrical connections, then made the grommets
  • Designed motor cooling: an air cooling system machined into the motor casing, plus air and water cooling setups for high-intensity testing
  • Assembled gearboxes on the motor production line

What I learned: Thermal management, waterproofing, mechanical assembly, and design for manufacturing.

Software Development

Mobile app: For Accelerated Systems' autonomous lawnmower, I designed and built a Kotlin mobile app that controls the mower wirelessly and shows its live state. It has a joystick for manual driving and four status pages:

  • Overhead view of sensor proximity detection
  • Sensor proximity detection over time
  • Overhead object detection display
  • Map showing the mower's GPS position

ROS2: On the mower itself, I wrote the C++ ROS2 nodes for safety stops on sensor proximity, geofencing, and joystick control.

Gallery

  • E-Bike stress testing setup
  • DIY linuxCNC controller for a 4th axis on a CNC