Technology, teamwork, and communication. Interview with Summer Camp Acrobat, Barbora Frynta

A native Czech, Barbora Frynta is an aeronautical engineering student at Delft University of Technology. Barbora is also an electronics member and former Head of Public Relations in the university’s AQUILO Rocket Team. These days, she has become an engineering intern at NLR - Netherlands Aerospace Centre.

I handed the printer over at the team’s office at the Inholland University of Applied Science. Casper Hoppe, the General Manager of Clemessy Eiffage Netherlands, honored the occasion with his presence. Although it was a very rainy day, the warm welcome by Barbora and her fellow camp participant, Timo van Spelden, made the afternoon a casual and fun event.

Unpacking the printer turned out to be quite challenging. Barbora, along with the other AQUILO members present, were highly surprised and quite enthusiastic to see that the box, in fact, contained a 3D printer.

During the camp, Barbora worked on a challenging project to design and animate a robot head, pushing herself to learn new skills like animatronics and sensor integration. Her team should make a Winnie the Pooh-like robotic head of a bear stealing honey. They did a good job and won the overall challenge.

What motivated you to join the Dewesoft summer camp?

My university’s Aquilo Rocket Team, which I am a member of, has been fortunate enough to gain access to a Dewesoft Data Acquisition System through our sponsor, Clemessy.

Before attending the Summer Camp, Dewesoft was just a powerful and expensive box that intimidated the entire electronics department. I was intrigued by the opportunity to combine measurement analysis with robotics, especially since measurement is foundational in engineering but often overlooked in creative fields like robotics.

How would you describe your overall experience at the camp?

It was an intense but enriching experience. The mix of technical challenges, hands-on projects, and the collaborative spirit made it unforgettable. I learned so much, not just technically but also in terms of teamwork and communication.

The robotics project, where we designed and animated a robot head, was the most rewarding. Having experience building and developing rockets and planes, I enjoyed applying those skills to something entirely different. The sense of accomplishment when we saw the robot head come to life was incredible.

The robot challenge

Tell me about the robotics project you worked on during the camp.

We aimed to design, build, and animate a cartoonish robot head that could react to sensor inputs. The project combined creative design with technical precision, which made it both challenging and fun.

Having requested the group leader that I work outside of my comfort zone, he assigned me the lead in animating the robot head using a free robot and animatronic animation software called Bottango.

It was a program entirely new to me! It took me countless video tutorials, numerous trials and errors, and becoming the Bottango Q&A Server’s most frequent user to get the animations ready to be integrated into the DAQ system.

Not only did I become proficient in new software, but I also learned the art of animatronic building. Our team’s success lay in its organized distribution of tasks, progress tracking, and communication, and I wholeheartedly contributed to that.

What measurement techniques did you apply in your project?

We used various sensors to detect sound, temperature, and motion - in the form of acceleration, which they fed into the DewesoftX system for data acquisition. The precision of these measurements directly impacted the robot’s responsiveness, ensuring that it reacted correctly to its surroundings.

We worked with a sound and temperature sensor and an accelerometer. These sensors were calibrated using the DAQ system and integrated into the Dewesoft Obsidian Platform, allowing us to analyze the data and create smooth interactions between the robot's movements and environment.

Our robot, Winnie the Pooh, reacted with varying animations - blinking the eyes, shaking the head, dancing, etc. - depending on whether he was scared by the microphone input, felt cold through the temperature sensor, or a 3D printed bee shook his bee hive.

Reflections on robotics

How did your understanding of robotics evolve throughout the camp?

The camp changed the way I think about robotics. Coming from an aeronautical background, I initially viewed robotics through a mechanical lens. By the end of the camp, I had a much deeper appreciation for the role of sensors, programming, and real-time data analysis in making robots truly autonomous and responsive.

I realized how critical data acquisition and sensor integration are in making robotics more functional and efficient. It also emphasized how diverse engineering can be—whether you're designing a rocket or a robot, the fundamental principles of teamwork, precision, and problem-solving remain the same.

What fascinates you most about robotics?

I’m fascinated by how robotics merges creativity with engineering, allowing you to build something that functions and interacts with its environment. This camp deepened my interest by showing how precise measurements and data can make robots more intelligent and autonomous.

I now see the importance of a strong understanding of robotics hardware and software. It’s not just about building a physical machine but also ensuring it can interact intelligently with its environment.

I think robotics will continue to evolve toward greater autonomy and more seamless integration into everyday life, from aviation to healthcare. I see myself contributing to this future, especially with my background in aeronautical engineering and growing robotics knowledge. Our generation will push the boundaries of AI integration and human-robot collaboration.

Measurement and analysis insights

What did you learn about measurement and analysis?

We worked with DewesoftX for data acquisition, Bottango for animating the robot, and some basic coding in Python. By the end of the camp, I felt much more confident using these tools and understanding how they integrate with hardware.

I gained a deeper understanding of collecting and analyzing sensor data using DewesoftX and learned about data acquisition (DAQ) systems. It reinforced how important accurate data is in any engineering project, whether for rocket telemetry or robot animation.

One challenge was integrating sensor data into the DAQ system and programming the robot to react with varying physical movements according to the input. We overcame this by ensuring proper sensor placement and running repeated tests. Collaboration with teammates with different skill sets and guidance from keen mentors was critical in troubleshooting these issues.

I would have loved more time to dive deeper into optimizing Dewesoft hardware and software setups to apply said ameliorations to the Aquilo Rocket Team data collection procedure.

Why is precise measurement important?

Precise measurement ensures systems perform as expected, especially in aerospace and robotics. Even minor errors can lead to significant issues in performance. In our project, ensuring the robot reacted accurately to its environment was essential. In my work with the AQUILO Rocket Team, precise data ensures safe and successful launches.

Collaboration and teamwork

How did teamwork influence your learning experience?

Though I’m used to working in teams, this camp was special because the team members came from diverse fields. It enhanced my learning because I saw different perspectives and problem-solving approaches. The challenge was aligning everyone's ideas, but we found ways to collaborate effectively.

We divided tasks based on each person’s strengths and preferences. We had the two experienced CAD users design and 3D print the mechanism, facial structure, and accessories. The member with the most robotics experience was in charge of the mechanism and wiring assembly, and we were lucky to have a computer science major to handle the coding.

Our team leader was a part-time Dewesoft member with valuable insight into the Dewesoft systems but took the initiative to help wherever needed. That left me to tackle the animations and visuals that none of us had any experience with. Regular check-ins and communication helped us stay aligned and on track.

The camp is as much about collaboration as it is about technical skills. My advice to future Dewesoft acrobats is to make use of being surrounded by engineering enthusiasts and data acquisition experts - grow your network, don’t shy away from asking questions, and try to soak up as much knowledge as possible. I left camp with an extensive network of accomplished, collaborative engineers I know I can turn to for future guidance.

Can you share an example of a problem your team solved together?

Initially, our robot’s head movements didn’t consistently respond to the sensor input. As a team, we sat down, analyzed the sensor data, and adjusted the programming logic. We took an iterative approach, testing and tweaking until it worked seamlessly.

Capturing real-time sound wave data was challenging due to the amount of noise the sensor picked up and the ever-changing range of wavelengths needed to be registered by the sensor. We ensured precision by carefully placing the sensor next to the sound source and calibrating it until we were sure it would pick up on the correct input.

My team's most commonly stated and dreaded phrase was, “But it worked in the CAD!”. The challenge reminded us over and over again that engineering is littered with unforeseen problems. They do not appear until you start building and testing the actual mechanism, which is why these two phases are so significant. You have to devote time to them. To troubleshoot, we broke down the problems, testing each part/sensor individually before reconfiguring the system as a whole.

Clear and frequent communication was crucial, primarily since we worked under tight time constraints. We made sure to have daily check-ins and open discussions whenever we hit a roadblock, which kept everyone on the same page.

Future aspirations

Can you apply this knowledge to future studies or career goals?

I plan to continue exploring robotics, particularly how data analysis can enhance robotic intelligence. This experience will also be invaluable as I continue working on aerospace-related projects, where precision is everything. I am currently working on designing an autonomous robot for aircraft inspections as a part of my current internship at the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre.

This camp experience has reinforced my passion for combining aerospace and robotics and given me a clearer vision of how I can contribute to these fields. I’d love to explore robotics and autonomous systems more, particularly in aerospace applications like autonomous inspections or repairs.

Will this camp benefit your future academic or professional endeavors?

Seeing our robot respond to real-time data was inspiring because it showed me what’s possible when you combine creativity with engineering. This camp experience gave me technical knowledge and soft skills, like leadership and teamwork, that will be incredibly beneficial in any future academic or professional setting.

I can apply the skills I gained in data analysis and robotics to fields like automation, healthcare, and even environmental monitoring, where precise measurements are critical. However, the value of collaboration is my biggest takeaway. No matter how technically skilled you are, you need strong communication and teamwork to succeed.