Staffordshire University
Sam Wane
Sam has been interested in building robots from an early age, and R2D2 in the film 'Star Wars' was his inspiration. Early attempts at R2D2 resembled cardboard boxes with Lego motors driving them around and touch sensors to reverse their direction on collision. Sam has worked as a lecturer in robotics, animatronics and virtual reality since 2000, after working in software development, including the development of 'Handy-1', a rehabilitation robot to aid people with no arms or arm control to feed themselves. He is researching a wirelessly controlled robot propulsion mechanism and enjoys building projects involving tele-operation, control, and robotics. He lives in Stafford, has a small train set in the garden, a solar powered garage, dozens of half-finished projects, and a patient wife who only complains when she finds resistors in the bed.