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From Meccano and Electronic Kits
to Mechatronics. How Did I Get Here
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I've been surrounded by wires and taking toys apart since almost as long as I can remember. As a
young child, I spent
hours playing with electric slot cars, which I often dismantled purely out of curiosity or
to repair when needed. I also built projects with Meccano construction kits, some motorized, which
sparked my early interest in how things worked, both mechanically and electrically. My room slowly
filled with wires, tools, and projects, testing my mother's patience.
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Many of my uncles were into cars, and I loved listening to them talk. That
environment shaped me. I was just 8 or 9 when my grandmother handed me a broken radio and asked if I
could fix it. It wasn't a big issue, but I did fix it. Not long after, I started building electronic gadgets
by following circuit diagrams from the kits my father began buying me. And soon enough, I began designing my own
small electronic projects. I was hooked.
My first car had 300,000 miles when I bought it. Needless to say,
it needed work, but I fixed it up and it was back on the road in no time. (not actual engine but similar)
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Growing up, we always had a shed or some kind of workshop where I could tinker and get familiar with tools.
I'd fix bicycles, repair wooden carts, etc.,
and later I built a small carriage and a sleigh for ponies,
complete with lights and an actual car radio. With a small group of resourceful friends, I also built a go kart powered
by a chainsaw motor, and a year later, I began maintaining and repairing my own snowmobile (and sometimes my
neighbors') and motorcycles.
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By 16, I had my driver's license,
my first car to work on, and a part-time job at a local motorcycle and snowmobile repair shop.
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That same year, I also started working at a body shop during the summer while attending a technical school for
auto mechanics. I completely rebuilt a tractor engine
there and graduated at the top of my class by age 18. I had already
begun buying and working on my second and third cars, modifying and replacing engines and transmissions. I
also did an internship with an electric company maintaining electrician service trucks.
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This was my first actual mechanic toolbox at age 18. I've added a few decals over the years,
but I still have it today.
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After school, I moved through various shops, starting with heavy-duty truck maintenance and later
transferring to a newer, closer shop specialized in automatic transmissions and general mechanic.
Eventually, I returned to school to earn a bachelor's degree in social sciences, business administration,
and computerized statistical analysis. That's when I got my first exposure to mainframe
computers and the public internet.
Screenshot of a mobile app I wrote.
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I soon developed my own network application for information distribution before I began setting up
web servers for clients. This grew into building and repairing computers, and programming 3D virtual
environments, leading to full-stack software development experience. Meanwhile, I took advanced classes
in digital computer logic and circuitry at MIT, and began developing a multi-user virtual reality
server system for the virtual world I had started building a few years earlier.
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During that time, my hands weren't far from
cars. I continued maintaining my own, including a couple of classic vehicles I've acquired over the years. I
also dabbled in drag racing at times. But my main focus was computer hardware and software until I realized
the two worlds were merging. Modern vehicles had become computers on wheels.
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Screenshot of a multi-user virtual reality world featuring driveable cars, where I led both development
and business operations. Incidentally, driverless vehicles on the road today rely on similar technologies.
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That was the spark. My background in automotive repair, combined with deep experience in computing and
networks, converged naturally. Even the 3D tech I once worked on closely parallels the foundations of
today's self-driving cars.
Robot musician controlled by a programmable microcontroller. Fun side-project.
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I've always had a keen interest in music too, so car audio is an aspect of my work as well.
I've also studied the developments of A.I. and robotics closely. All of this (mechanical, electrical,
digital, and creative) comes together for me in what is now known as mechatronics, which is the
foundation of modern vehicles.
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Today, my work focuses on automotive electronics, including that of electric vehicles. I am looking
to take on more advanced robotics and industrial machinery, such as the boom lift I diagnosed and
repaired in the field when it would not come back down, as well as
marine electronics, and various types of manufacturing
and distribution systems.
To me, it's all mechatronics, regardless of the brand of vehicle or
equipment, and I've accumulated a wealth of knowledge through
formal education, shop and field experience, and years of continuous self-learning.
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Cadillac infotainment failure diagnosed and repaired.
A bad capacitor was just one of the problems identified in this case.
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In short, I solve difficult
problems because I've worked across all the layers where they typically arise: mechanical,
electrical, and digital.
This boom was immobilized in a raised and rotated position due to hidden electrical faults in the control box
and a main harness, preventing it from being trailered until repairs were made.
Extending from automotive or industrial to marine electronics is natural for those with
strong diagnostic aptitude, electrical knowledge, and real-world experience.
Oscilloscopes are vital in modern diagnostics, enabling technicians to analyze
electrical signals, communication protocols, sensor outputs, and even mechanical system
performance, helping to identify issues that span both electronics and mechanical components.
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Some issues can be complex, but with the right aptitude and by following proper procedures,
finding solutions becomes a structured process with a finite timeline. As long as resolving them is
economically viable, I remain committed to the task. Although many items today aren't
designed to be repaired, my curiosity drives me to explore solutions and complete what I
start within a reasonable timeframe.
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I do it to stay active in my ever-evolving pursuit of knowledge. If it involves wires, electronics,
code, vehicles, or moving parts, whether it's mechanical systems, microcontrollers, or computers,
chances are I can get it working again.
Ultimately, whether some people like it or not, the future of automotive transportation is increasingly
moving toward electric vehicles. When I think about it, it has taken me right back to where I started
as a young child.
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Modern EVs, though complex, remind me of my early days with electric motors.
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Click to read about the emergence of automotive mechatronics.
If you'd like to see more about my work, I occasionally post updates on Facebook and other social media.
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