We had the good fortune of connecting with Junchao Ma and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Junchao, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have always believed that entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of innovation and technological advancement. I see starting my own business in robotics as a way to make robots more accessible, ultimately helping and assisting people in their daily lives. Plus, I love the idea of building something from scratch, watching it grow, and knowing it’s making a positive impact on society.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a second-year PhD student at the University of Southern California, over the past two years, under the guidance of Professor Quan Nguyen, my colleagues and I have developed a teen-sized humanoid platform called HECTOR. My primary focus has been on the hardware aspects of the project, including design, system integration, and firmware development.

What sets us apart is the achievement of building two generations of fully functional bipedal and humanoid robots that are accessible by the masses in just two years. HECTOR is already well-received by the research community for its ability to walk, jump and easy to work with. I am particularly proud of this accomplishment and excited about the potential impact of our work. We’re also in the process of spinning off a startup called LASER Robotics, aiming to commercialize our technology and make a long-term positive impact on society.

The journey hasn’t been easy. There have been countless late nights, failed experiments, and broken parts. However, my passion for robotics has powered me through these challenges. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is not to fear mistakes; they are essential for learning and improvement. Additionally, robotics is a highly multidisciplinary field, and teamwork is crucial for integrating various subjects like learning, control, and system integration to work harmoniously together.

At last, I want the world to know that my work and our brand are driven by a deep commitment to innovation and making robots a beneficial part of everyday life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Los Angeles is a great city and have the best restaurants in the United States. If they are in LA for a week, I will recommend authentic korean restaurants in K town and chinese restarants in San Gabirel, Monterey Park area. In addition, places like Griffith Observatory, The Getty, Santa Monica and Malibu beaches are must see if they come to LA. I will also recommend them to watch sunset on a beach, the Los Angeles sunsets are unbeatable. At last, there are a lot of great national parks near LA region such as Sequoia and Channel Island National Parks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to my parents for their unwavering support in all my decisions over the years. Their encouragement has been a constant source of strength for me. I also want to recognize my professor, Quan Nguyen, and the University of Southern California. They provided me with incredible opportunities and resources to pursue my PhD and develop one of the coolest robots I’ve seen: the HECTOR platform. Their mentorship and the environment they created have been instrumental in my growth and achievements. I am truly grateful for the community that has supported and inspired me along the way.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/junchao-ma-4aaa6b126/ 

Image Credits
Junchao Ma

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