Lucas Ainsworth

Designer and outreach liaison on an efficient team of hardware and software engineers who developed, supported, and sold Arduino 101, Intel Edison, and Intel Joule development platforms, targeted at students, researchers, and entrepreneurs in robotics, computer vision, and machine learning “edge-compute” applications.

Designed and published example projects and code to highlight the capabilities of Intel hardware development products. The projects generated over 27,000 views, trending in open hardware sites such as Hackster.io and Arduino blogs.

Modeled and documented developer workflows, and worked with engineering teams to ensure the API met the needs of external developers.

Designed, developed, crowd-funded, and manufactured a line of educational toys. Kinetic Creatures are walking cardboard animal kits that make complex mechanics accessible through a fold-up, tab-and-slot design. These kits combine analog rule-die manufacturing with modern prototyping and design tools, and have been featured in prominent design and education publications. They are sold through several online and boutique retail shops in the US.

Invited by Intel Senior Fellow Dr. Genevieve Bell to design and build a robotic demo for the closing keynote presentation of the 2015 Intel Developer Forum. Presented robots onstage during Dr. Bell’s talk about the importance of the “Maker” approach to problem solving.

Invented and prototyped new technology for wireless power delivery, patent pending. Partnered with engineering teams and industry to deliver products and physical reference designs under tight schedules.

Evaluated emerging technology, and conducted user research to make informed recommendations for feasibility, implementation and user experience of new products.

Researched, invented, and led development of a novice-enabling software tool, “Connect AnyThing.” The design was shortlisted in the 2016 IXDA Interaction Awards, Empowering category. Designed interaction concept, wireframes and prototypes, and worked closely with UI designers and front-end developers through the development process.

Designed demonstration vehicles for Connect AnyThing that headlined Intel’s presence at Bay Area and New York Maker Faires.

Developed curriculum and conducted workshops with Sparkfun Electronics, Intel Computer Clubhouses and the San Jose TechGYRLS to refine and test the platform while engaging with kids and community.

Devised experience prototypes for untested image-capture technology, enabling researchers to test various interaction scenarios with users. These UX prototypes became an invaluable tool for guiding investment and communicating potential technology impact.

Founded an Experience Prototyping Lab to enable researchers to rapidly test interaction concepts.

Designed prototypes to quickly test gesture control, head-tracked 3D interactions, and projection mapping. Held internal workshops to help researchers learn new tools and foster a sense of “Maker Culture” in Intel Labs.

Developed physical products for manufacturing and mechanical prototypes with “GreenToys Inc.”, “Perfect Fitness LLC” and “Wham-O” toys. Focused primarily on physical problem solving and design for manufacture. Developed designs and mechanical components included in retail products. Named inventor on utility patent applications.

Worked directly with product design team to develop styling, message, and mechanics of emerging fitness and lifestyle equipment. Sketched, modeled, built functional prototypes, and supported diverse needs of product design from initial ideation to manufacturing and product launch. Credited inventor on two pending utility patents.

Built functional prototypes used in testing before product manufacture. Additionally, worked with the design team to develop a new product from initial concept, through several stages of ideation and prototyping. Process included SolidWorks modeling and rapid prototyping with a 3D printer.