The field of robotics is fueled by ingenuity and problem-solving, which is why it attracts so many creative and forward-thinking people. As this field continues to evolve and incorporate breakthroughs in machine learning to produce sophisticated and life-like machines, the possibilities for future developments become limitless.
One engineer has taken the fusion of creativity and mechanics to a new level. Wiktor Przybył began his work in robotics with an interdisciplinary approach in mind, and he uses his artistic background and dedication to human solutions to overcome the challenges of soft robotics, positioning himself as a leader in the field.
From the Arts to Engineering
Przybył began his career with a BA in Graphic Design and an MA in New Media Art from the Academies of Fine Arts in Katowice and Wrocław, respectively. For Przybył, pursuing an art education was a somewhat spontaneous decision he made after graduating high school. He was driven by a desire to learn the “secret knowledge” he felt the arts hold, as opposed to the more established sciences.
After finishing his education, Przybył pivoted to engineering. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit to master multiple disciplines, he began working in research and development departments within the polymer processing industry, where he gained vital knowledge in large-scale elastomer processing and high-end 3D printer production.
During his transition from creative arts to engineering, Przybył incorporated a cross-disciplinary approach to his work. He believes that his foundational knowledge in the arts is invaluable to his capabilities in tech design: “My work is best described as a blend of industrial design and machine construction, involving material knowledge, aesthetics, mechanical design, electronics, pneumatics, programming, and additive manufacturing techniques.”
Solving the Challenges of Humanoid Robotics
Przybył now works with Clone Robotics, where he uses his ingenuity in design to create musculoskeletal humanoid robots that can assist users in everyday tasks. Working on this project has proven challenging but thrilling for Przybył: “The humanoid robot we’re developing at Clone is by far the largest and most exciting project I’ve ever been involved in.”
The soft, humanlike structure of Clone’s robot model is unlike any other in the industry and requires constant problem-solving and inventiveness. Building a biomimetic humanoid involves numerous subprocesses that must all be executed rapidly and accurately. The design demands of this project do not always fit the large-scale nature of industrial production, and while many production tasks can be automated, that could become costly and time-consuming.
To meet the challenges of this project, Przybył uses techniques that bridge large-scale industrial production with small-scale craftsmanship. He leverages the strengths of both methods through additive manufacturing combined with an algorithmic approach to modeling. Przybył’s flexibility and ingenuity save Clone Robotics substantial amounts of time and money, and his efforts have brought the company closer to full-scale production of their android concept.
Resilience and Entrepreneurship in Design
Przybył takes an entrepreneurial approach to design and innovation that involves pursuing any and all opportunities for improvement. His philosophy of working across multiple disciplines has garnered him skills in photography, filmmaking, engineering, and more. “The journey toward optimal designs is a never-ending challenge,” Przybył asserts.
Przybył’s work in tech and design has led him to several significant opportunities. He has prepared 3D printer settings used by NASA, and his animation-generating software was featured at the Media Art Biennale in Wrocław.
Looking to the Future of Humanoid Robotics
Przybył will continue to strive to make reliable machines with clear designs and inventive concepts. He hopes that the humanoid robots of the future will improve people’s everyday lives. One of his primary goals is to share the joys of designing with others and spread his belief that there are still countless things left to invent.
Przybył believes that AI is the future of robotics. With its incredible ability for imitation, he thinks it will soon achieve humanlike dexterity. As machines evolve and obtain sufficiently capable hardware and intelligence, humans will be able to delegate repetitive and menial tasks to them while we retain a high degree of creativity.
However, nothing will ever be as important to Przybył as the human element: “As AI continues to evolve, the design process will gradually distill to simply having good ideas, and I would love to see people recognize creativity — the most human trait — as their greatest asset.”
Insights and Advice for Tomorrow’s Innovators
Przybył follows a philosophy of continuous, proactive knowledge sharing that will help others succeed. He encourages aspiring entrepreneurs and engineers to embrace the same interdisciplinary approach that led him on his design journey. With creative problem-solving skills, they can be ready to take on the future challenges of tech design. Above all, he emphasizes resilience and flexibility in the face of setbacks.
“A key part of building the design and production processes is having faith that a solution exists,” he advises. “This mindset fuels endless mental gymnastics — a continuous search for innovative solutions that lead to successful implementations.”
Those who wish to learn more about Wiktor Przybył’s work can follow his YouTube channel. As he continues designing the robots of the future, his contributions to the field of soft robotics will be felt for years to come. However, he believes that education is the greatest way to make a lasting impact on the world: “My guiding principle has always been to understand the world from first principles, strive to be a humanist in the classical sense, and aim to be a valuable member of society if civilization is to be restored.”
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