7.29.2013

Introducing Limbeck Engineering and Project Robo Goby



This blog is dedicated to keeping the public up-to-date on Limbeck Engineering's Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) project.

Limbeck Engineering is a group name we settled on after hours of brainstorming; limbeck is an archaic word meaning "to wear oneself out thinking of new ideas." We thought that this accurately represented our struggles in coming up with a name and future struggles that we will have to overcome while designing innovative technologies.  

Limbeck Engineering is comprised of four college students students: Josef Biberstein (MIT), Travis Libsack (MIT), Nick Nelsonwood (Princeton), and Liam Wade (University of Maine). We started the project and incorporated the business while attending high school in our hometown of Freeport, Maine.



Left to right: Liam Wade, Nick Nelsonwood, Josef Biberstein, and Travis Libsack


Project RoboGoby is an extensive design project that involves many different aspects of engineering, but is centered around how humans interact with the ocean. Limbeck is hoping to create a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) with autonomous capabilities that is affordable, easy to use, and, most importantly, innovative. We chose the name RoboGoby because goby, a type of fish, complements the abbreviation "robo."


There are a few reasons that we originally decided to take on this project. The first, and most important reason, was for our love of engineering as well as a hook for potential colleges. There are many ROVs out there, however, they are either quite expensive (priced at $5000 without accessories) or lack in capabilities. We decided to challenge ourselves with designing an UUV that is superior in both price and capability. Our current motivation comes from our continued love of engineering as we work towards earning college degrees and finding a place in the engineering world. The market has grown since we started the project, but still has significant gaps that we hope to ameliorate. 

In 2013, 2014, and 2015 our focus was on engineering a submersible with our desired parameters. We came out of the process with two basic, proof-of-concept models and a lot of experience.

In the final months of 2015 we decided to shift our focus towards commercializing RoboGoby. This is an entirely new endeavor for us and marks an important shift in strategy. The early parts of 2016 will be focused on conducting market research, contacting potential partners and customers, and creating a business plan. The end goal is to secure funding for the summer of 2016, so that we can develop an alpha version of RoboGoby to further our commercialization persuits.

10 comments:

  1. Very impressed by this so far. I like the passion and approach. It looks like a very fun engineering problem to solve and I like how you are showing your progress. I think if you spent a little time thinking of your potential markets, what it will eventually do for someone (other than be a submersible motorized fish controlled by a raspberry pi), you might perhaps interest more corporate sponsorship. (hint hint) - You guys rock!
    -Bryon

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    1. Thanks for being interested in our project! If you have any more ideas for us on potential markets, just shoot us an email at limbeck.engineering@gmail.com. We've been trying to do more outreach, but that is an entire project in itself...anyway we're open to any comments/suggestions.

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  2. When I read about you guys my first impression was how many times I have read about such things but never in my backyard. Don't stop. In my profession I read about and follow such ventures all the time. These things fly, success happens, nutty ideas make fortunes. Get good councel from more than three sources - other people who have taken risks and succeeded (Ed Stebbens - Gritty McDuffs, Jonas Werner - Azure, Ed Manganello - Olympia Sports, Joseph Boulos - Boulos Leasing). They can help you MAKE A PLAN. If the idea has promise, which I really think this may, a plan will not only guide you but venture capital requires a clear picture of what lies ahead. Best of luck. Let me know when you're selling shares.

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    1. Thanks for the support and the business tip. We'll definitely be seeking council from more experienced businesses and entreprenuors. We really appreciate the support – just send us a message if you ever want to sit down and talk.

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  3. Nice work on this project, the design seems to be getting really clean.

    I read an article in the New York times about divers diving the Andrea Dora, and how a lot of divers go missing in the wreck. Maybe you could hook up with one of the scuba shops, or one of the wealthy divers to work on a project to locate missing divers. I'm sure those guys have some bucks and would be stoked to work with you.

    Keep up the good work. Do you have contact information on your site anywhere?

    -Bryan Kappa

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  4. That sounds like a great idea. We're just starting a phase of market research and we'll make sure to look into scuba shops and divers as potential customers.

    We do not currently have an contact information on our blog. If you have any more questions/would like to contact us directly you can send and email to:

    limbeck.engineering@gmail.com

    Thanks again for the comment and the great market idea!

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  5. Email hola solo para decirle Como hiceiron El Sistema De Control del robot a través de Internet un traves de la ONU medio Fibra optica expliquenme Sobre la teleoperación o si Es Una aplicacion párrafo Controlar a través internt...............

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