Source: Bilal Moris / iOne Digital
A few weekends ago, I was hanging out in Discord with my programming nerd buddy, watching him cook on ChatGPT, when I had an unexpected epiphany. Robots were about to take over the world, and I was on the wrong side of knowing how to control them.
As a career writer and journalist, storytelling and communications have always been my strengths. Robotics, on the other hand, felt like a foreign language, something only engineers and scientists could master. Building a robot has always seemed so intimidating. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that if you lean into your fears and conquer them, you might just inspire others to do the same.
The world of tech, especially robotics, is a vast, exciting and fast-evolving landscape, yet once I began to research the major players, I noticed barely any of them looked like me. Whether we like it or not, Robotics, AI, and automation are shaping the new world, yet the voices and the innovators aren’t as diverse as the world they are serving. This is one of the reasons I wanted to start this journey, not just to learn but also to show folks in my life that they can have a future in this space if they just apply themselves.
Representation matters. It breaks down stereotypes, opens doors and inspires people to realize they can achieve whatever they put their minds to.
Technology, especially robotics and AI is also a powerful tool to strengthen communities. By learning new ways to solve problems, we can use these technologies to bridge social gaps and improve lives.
Robotics and tech can also offer opportunities beyond hobbies, like jobs and new career paths.
I’m not gonna lie; this Robotics challenge seems daunting and extremely intimidating to a writer with zero engineering background, but as my gamer buddies like to say, “chances make champions.” To make this challenge a bit easier I convinced my genius coder friend to join me.
Together, we bought an inexpensive ELEGOO UNO R3 robotics kit for $60. The model came with wheels and a camera, all set to build a little smart car with obstacle avoidance, line-tracking, auto-follow and so many more features I barely understand.
My goal is to learn the basics of robotics, from coding to the actual build, while documenting all my trials and tribulations.
Along the way, I hope to show that anyone can begin their technology journey, regardless of race, age or background.
This journey isn’t just about me and my little robot build. We’ll also be exploring the broader significance of robotics, AI, and automation—and how they will help shape the future of society.
Black communities must be a part of shaping that future.
Over the next eight weeks, I will be speaking with key players in the space to help you better understand the importance of these new technologies. I will also be sharing updates, tutorials, and my reflections along the way.
This journey isn’t just a personal challenge— it’s an invitation to join me in exploring something new and innovative. Whether you’re curious about robotics or just looking for a fresh hobby, this is the place for you.
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