Combining a Passion for Robotics with an Entrepreneurial Spirit
Antonio Marzoratti ’27 and Ivan Zou '27 are on a mission to translate their love of robotics into marketable products that will make a difference in people’s lives.
Read Story1. Family Photo
Vacationing on Öland, Sweden, with my wife, Joy, and children, Syd and Elie.
2. Dala Horse
A traditional Swedish handcraft given to me by a student after an off-campus program in Lund, Sweden.
3. Mug
Coffee mug from Southern Denmark University, where I worked as a researcher for four years — everyone in the family learned Danish and we all can still speak the language to some extent.
Greg Lewin
4. Slide Rule
Slide rule used by my grandfather, Carl Lewin ’39, a civil engineering major and Skull member who later served as a WPI trustee.
5. Goat Photo
This goat took a liking to me even before I joined WPI. It was at a place called Bosjökloster, during a study abroad in Lund, Sweden.
6. Braitenberg Vehicle
I use this proto-robot, which can follow lines and react to stimuli without a microcontroller, to demonstrate basic control in some of my classes. I often leave it driving around a course in the lab for hours.
I still have my slide rules (2). We would argue about the 6 foot slide rule hanging from the ceiling. Who needed more than 3 digit accuracy?
Elliott Heith. WPI 1957
In the 21st century, the demand for precision and accuracy in various fields has become increasingly critical. While slide rules and three-digit accuracy were sufficient in the mid-20th century, today’s world heavily depends on technology, scientific research, and engineering feats that require far greater precision. From calculating orbital mechanics for space missions to developing intricate circuits in microprocessors, three-digit accuracy would fall short of the mark. The advancement of technology has led to complex simulations and models in industries such as climate science, aerospace, quantum computing, and pharmaceuticals, where even a small error in measurement can lead to significantly different outcomes. Consequently, relying on tools and methods that provide more than 3-digit accuracy is not just beneficial, but necessary to meet the challenges and demands of modern society. Those who questioned its necessity in the past might have underestimated the sophistication of future technological progress:)
There are of course many situations that call for precision beyond the capabilities of a slide rule, but I offer a bit of a counter argument… Those of us brought up on slide rules (me, an ME ‘72 from OSU), learned the value of mental math and approximation. Sadly recent generations seem to have lost this ability. I warn my MQP students all the time about reporting unjustified precision and, in fact, will downgrade a paper if they continue to add extra (in)significant figures. In my experience 3-digit accuracy IS sufficient for most engineering work.
Thank you so much, Greg, for sharing such wonderful mementos with us! It’s amazing to see the special family photo from Sweden, and the slide rule from your grandfather is truly a treasure. The goat photo from your study abroad program is delightful, and the Braitenberg Vehicle must have been a fascinating tool in your classes. We appreciate you letting us peek into such cherished aspects of your personal and professional life.