Hey, I'm Gavin
silly ideas irl
About me
a perpetual work in progress
Mechatronics Engineering (Class of 2028) at the University of Waterloo.
I work with: IoT, 3D mechanical design, robotics, and all things hardware.
I like tinkering to understand how things work; a side effect of curiosity. Everything I do is a learning experience, and I want to share that with the world. Whether it’s for fun, for school, or for work, I want to share my process with the world.
“i could lowk make that” 🔥🔥🔥
My Work
A collection of my projects and contributions
PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO LEARN MORE
Please click on the images to learn more
4DoF Robot
Lamp
4DoF Robot
Lamp
- Designed and built a 4-DOF robotic lamp in 48 hours with integrated mechanical, actuation, and control systems
- Validated physical assembly through complete wiring, joint motion, and component-layout checks
- Produced full build documentation (BOM, wiring, and assembly instructions) for reproducibility
Acceleration Consortium
Acceleration Consortium
- Integrated a self-driving lab automating a 2D gantry and 6DoF robot arm for autonomous material discovery experiments
- Architected MQTT-based control infrastructure orchestrating 8 connected IoT devices over ethernet and wireless links
- Developed inverse kinematics in Python and designed custom Fusion360 tooling for autonomous material handling
lowlight.app
lowlight.app
- Built lowlight.app, a web experience focused on reflection and state awareness rather than prescriptive coaching
- Designed product language and interaction flow around a clear mirror-not-coach philosophy
- Published a live early release to support iterative UX and content refinement
🖐️ Other Hand
🖐️ Other Hand
- Developed embedded C++ firmware for a modular BLE wearable at HackTheNorth 2025 using a robust state-machine architecture
- Built a full-stack configurator with Flask, JavaScript, and Bootstrap for drag-and-drop input mapping
- Designed and 3D-printed the enclosure, integrating controls, LiPo power, and charging-ready electronics
WATonomous Humanoid Robotics
WATonomous Humanoid Robotics
- Building a humanoid platform with 6DoF robotic arms and tendon-driven 20DoF hands for VR teleoperation
- Developed a ROS2-to-embedded interface over CAN, with containerized deployment in Docker
- Created simulation and hardware infrastructure using URDF, Isaac Sim, Gazebo, Foxglove, and hand-assembled fine-pitch PCBs
bAIRiatric Supports
bAIRiatric Supports
- Developed IoT-enabled inflatable support aids using Arduino and WiFi to reduce bariatric pressure injury risk
- Built nurse-facing patient tooling with Flask and SQLite for monitoring and intervention workflows
- Validated the concept through clinical interviews and prototype testing, finishing as a top-8 healthcare innovation finalist
FlexiTrack: Health Tech Innovation Challenge
FlexiTrack: Health Tech Innovation Challenge
- Built an AI-assisted mobility platform using computer vision and gamified therapy workflows for patient engagement
- Implemented a cross-platform stack with SwiftUI, Flask, and MediaPipe for real-time movement tracking
- Designed adjustable 3D-printed camera mounts in SolidWorks and won Grand River Hospital's Most Innovative Project award
Instrumented Knee Crutch
Instrumented Knee Crutch
- Developed an instrumented knee crutch with embedded strain gauges for real-time weight-bearing feedback
- Applied biomedical engineering methods at the University of Waterloo IDEAS Clinic to prototype and evaluate assistive hardware
- Used SolidWorks and FEA to validate structural safety, ergonomics, and manufacturing feasibility
Feedback Loops: Adaptive Cruise Control
Feedback Loops: Adaptive Cruise Control
- Developed an adaptive cruise control system using formal feedback control methods
- Implemented lane-keeping and safe-distance logic for dynamic cut-in and multi-vehicle scenarios
- Validated real-time speed and spacing regulation through milestone-based autonomous driving tests
Self-Balancing Unicycle
Self-Balancing Unicycle
- Built a custom simulation stack in C++ with CMake and OpenGL for dynamics visualization
- Developed a CartPole-inspired control architecture centered on wheel torque and body stabilization
- Implemented cascading PID loops for balance control and precise position tracking
Dishwasher Magnets 🧼🍽️
Dishwasher Magnets 🧼🍽️
- Designed a magnetic dishwasher status system in SolidWorks with embedded neodymium magnet features
- Used 3D printing pause-and-insert techniques and print-orientation tuning for durable magnet retention
- Turned a recurring household coordination issue into a permanent, user-friendly physical interface
Custom Tamagotchi
Custom Tamagotchi
- Developing a portable ESP32-based virtual pet around a round GC9A01 TFT display for embedded interaction
- Integrated photogrammetry workflows to convert real plush models into custom in-device pet assets
- Implemented GIF playback, IMU-driven motion behaviors, and rotary encoder input for responsive gameplay
Calendar Compare 📅
Calendar Compare 📅
- Built a group scheduling web app with Google Calendar API integration and won Best Adobe Express Hack at HawkHacks 2024
- Implemented secure OAuth sign-in and backend services in Python Flask for live calendar aggregation
- Developed availability analysis logic to surface high-overlap meeting windows across multiple users
C++ shitpost vid
C++ shitpost vid
- Explored core C++ concepts through creator-style technical storytelling and tutorial content
- Produced educational videos in Adobe Premiere Pro with motion graphics for YouTube delivery
- Refined repeatable scripting, editing, and publishing workflows for technical media production
Autonomous LiDAR Navigation
Autonomous LiDAR Navigation
- Developed C++ ROS2 nodes to convert LiDAR streams into a 2D costmap for obstacle perception
- Fused costmap and odometry data into a dynamic world model for local navigation context
- Implemented A* path planning to generate obstacle-aware routes through mapped environments
mathemati.co
mathemati.co
- Built a computer vision math-learning tool for DeerHacks 2024 with interactive, touchless input
- Implemented MediaPipe hand-landmark tracking to control visual math interactions in real time
- Focused on accessible learning UX that blends educational pedagogy with gesture-driven feedback
Blink Twice If You Need Help
Blink Twice If You Need Help
- Designed a computer-vision wearable using OpenCV for real-time blink and eye-state tracking
- Integrated Python-based VoIP automation to trigger emergency calls from detected distress signals
- Delivered a hands-free emergency communication flow focused on accessibility and rapid response
Mechanical Engineering @ Sheartak Tools
Mechanical Engineering @ Sheartak Tools
- Designed custom spiral cutterhead upgrades for planers and jointers using SolidWorks and production-ready mechanical design practices
- Automated product-image generation with Photoshop actions and authored customer-facing machine manuals
- Built internal Python inventory tooling and produced technical YouTube troubleshooting content
Ri3D Crescendo @ University of Waterloo
Ri3D Crescendo @ University of Waterloo
- Completed the University of Waterloo Robot in 3 Days build sprint for a functional FRC-style robot
- Engineered drivetrain and gearbox assemblies while integrating electronics and firmware
- Used rapid 3D printing and prototyping to deliver custom mechanical parts within a 72-hour timeline
HackTheNorth 2023 Psych Tracker
HackTheNorth 2023 Psych Tracker
- Built a mental health tracking app during a 36-hour hackathon sprint with a collaborative team
- Designed a simple metrics framework for logging and reviewing daily well-being trends
- Prioritized rapid prototyping, clear UX, and practical data entry for everyday use
Python Code Jam 2023 Benevolens
Python Code Jam 2023 Benevolens
- Built a secret-message toolkit that combines OCR with steganography for encoded note workflows
- Implemented cipher utilities and XOR-based image transforms for reversible text and image hiding
- Delivered a lightweight CLI for fast encoding and decoding of handwritten-message artifacts
Skills Ontario 2023 Hockey Robot
Skills Ontario 2023 Hockey Robot
- Developed embedded C/C++ firmware on Arduino for motor drive and Bluetooth control
- Designed compact protoboard electronics with through-hole soldering, reducing chassis space usage by about 30%
- Led rapid troubleshooting and recovery after failures to restore competition readiness under deadline
VTuber 3D Printed Fanart
VTuber 3D Printed Fanart
- Designed a custom VTuber figurine in CAD and fabricated final parts with 3D printing workflows
- Applied surface prep, priming, and layered paint finishing to achieve clean presentation quality
- Combined digital modeling and physical post-processing into a repeatable end-to-end maker pipeline
IoT Light Switch Bot/Mount
IoT Light Switch Bot/Mount
- Designed a 3D-printed servo mount that physically actuates a rocker switch without rewiring mains voltage
- Built a remote control interface backed by an Ubuntu-hosted HTTP service
- Combined mechanical design and web control to deliver safer, globally accessible room-light automation
Rapid React 2022
Rapid React 2022
- Co-designed an FRC intake subsystem in SolidWorks for reliable cargo handling during Rapid React
- Built and tested CNC-machined prototypes, identifying linkage updates that improved chain engagement by about 10%
- Improved cornering and maneuverability to support stronger on-field robot performance
Roof Gutter Rain Mount
Roof Gutter Rain Mount
- Designed a custom Fusion360 gutter adapter to merge dual downspouts into a single drainage path
- Used precise caliper-driven measurement and tolerance-aware modeling for accurate real-world fitment
- Resolved concentrated runoff damage using rapid, low-cost 3D-printed hardware
Find Me Arrow Key Holder
Find Me Arrow Key Holder
- Reverse-engineered a novelty arrow key holder using Fusion360 and measurement-driven CAD reconstruction
- Executed 3D printing with optimized support strategy, cleanup, and painted finishing for visual accuracy
- Recreated a commercial gag product through end-to-end digital fabrication and iterative fit validation
Automated Lamp
Automated Lamp
- Built an automated desk LED lamp with remote control logic for everyday use
- Progressed hardware from breadboard prototype to more durable perfboard implementation
- Integrated microcontroller-based switching and control for reliable smart-light behavior
Quadratics Solver
Quadratics Solver
- Built a quadratic-equation toolkit in Python with support for standard and vertex-form workflows
- Implemented core math routines for roots, vertex coordinates, and axis of symmetry computation
- Added matplotlib graphing and object-oriented structure for clear educational visualization
My Sticker/Clothing Store Cravin' Vinyls
My Sticker/Clothing Store Cravin' Vinyls
- Launched a multi-platform e-commerce brand for sticker decals and apparel with full product-to-fulfillment ownership
- Scaled reach through targeted social media marketing campaigns, including measurable growth in sales and audience
- Improved margins and revenue by refining pricing, budgeting, and inventory planning decisions
COVID-19 Screening Bypass
COVID-19 Screening Bypass
- Built a Python automation workflow with Selenium WebDriver for repeatable daily COVID screening form submission
- Integrated SMTP notifications to distribute confirmation emails automatically after successful runs
- Used XPath-based page targeting and screenshot capture for reliable interaction and recordkeeping
Remote-controlled LED
Remote-controlled LED
- Built an Arduino RGB lighting controller with IR remote input and PWM-driven color output
- Implemented random color modes and button debouncing for stable, repeatable control behavior
- Combined embedded programming, infrared protocols, and circuit-level signal handling in a practical prototype
Motion Sensor
Motion Sensor
- Built an Arduino motion-triggered lighting prototype using a PIR sensor and LED output
- Wrote embedded C++ logic to process sensor transitions and drive reliable trigger behavior
- Established foundational skills in microcontroller programming and hardware interfacing
YouTube Viewbot
YouTube Viewbot
- Developed a browser automation prototype in Python Selenium to study repeatable video-play interaction flows
- Implemented multi-tab session cycling logic to model different watch-pattern behaviors
- Tested anti-automation constraints, including detection heuristics and proxy-based routing experiments
Typeracer Python Bot
Typeracer Python Bot
- Built a browser-automation typing bot with Python Selenium and PyAutoGUI, reaching 170+ WPM
- Parsed plaintext from the HTML DOM and converted it into timed keyboard input sequences
- Evaluated platform anti-automation behavior, including practical rate-limiting constraints
Sashiko Hitomezashi Stitching
Sashiko Hitomezashi Stitching
- Developed a Python pattern generator for traditional Hitomezashi stitching using randomized binary grid logic
- Built a STEAM-oriented creative tool that bridges algorithmic thinking with textile design
- Validated generated outputs through physical embroidery to connect software patterns with real craft results
This is my Wooden CO2 Car
This is my Wooden CO2 Car
- Designed and fabricated a wooden CO2 race car using drill press, band saw, and precision hand-finishing
- Applied technical drafting and dimensional measurement for accurate cartridge slot placement and profile shaping
- Balanced aerodynamics, manufacturability, and fit to produce a competition-ready build
GuhBot Discord Bot
GuhBot Discord Bot
- Built and deployed a verified Discord.py bot in Python with reliable multi-server operation
- Implemented modular features including chatbot tools, meme generation, moderation utilities, and external API integrations
- Focused on low-friction onboarding and command UX so new servers could configure the bot quickly