Project Update 7.29.21

This post shall recap some projects with AMPEL and provide some commentary on the direction of the organization.

Following a round of investment at the end of Q2 2021, the organization has aggressively pursued its development of additive technology, network systems, and platform architecture. At the same time, Grant, as acting chief executive, has systematically developed operating structure and systems in part with his studies at Purdue University. The papers published represent foundational structure for the organization.

Project Recap

Of the projects currently in development at AMPEL, only one of them is for contract; the others are investments in technology to be used in future products.

Face Masks

Recent events have concurrently a) driven up demand of PPE gear for medical professionals, and b) constrained their supply chains. A call for assistance from the University of Chicago Hospital appealed to experienced professionals with 3D printers to manufacture face masks. This, along with the desire to apply associated research, spurred AMPEL into action. While U of C’s initial design has been integrated and manufactured to fulfill contracts for that institution, we have decided to deepen our investment into the concept of 3D printed facial coverings.

Grant and company firmly believe in the trends which show that future of the human race lies behind a face mask. Contributing factors to this include a) rising air pollution/lower air quality, b) the explosion of cameras and the associated prevalence of facial recognition software, and c) social norms following the COVID pandemic. All these put together contribute to a society which will place a value on comfortable, integrated facial coverings. While many of the organization’s officers are not personally excited about this trend, they recognize that the trend exists and intend to capitalize on it.

The current design uses a regular cloth mask built into a hard “aviator’s” shell. The next design iteration will incorporate a built in microphone/speaker. Ultimately we would like to integrate a connecting HUD and wraparound helmet.

UAV Components

Partner brand Grant Coultrup Productions has recently invested into UAV video production with the purchase of the Mavic Air 2 video drone. AMPEL will provide manufacture and integration of unique components to enhance the experience delivered by media production operations and boost its capabilities.

Most notable to this project is the integration of photogrammetry with LIDAR sensors. AMPEL has already demonstrated this capability on a small scale with an in-house scanner to convert physical objects to digital mesh for enhanced modeling and 3D printing.

GC Productions intends to develop proficiency in UAV operations and become a duly licensed operator under the FAA.

The Bonsai Turntable

This is a pet project of Grant, an avid collector of miniature Japanese bonsai trees. Having previously designed and 3D printed various pots and holders for such plants in the early years, the current project practices design skills, electronics integration, and network development. The final ideation is an elevated rotating pot which has an integrated servo motor, Arduino Uno, and Raspberry Pi Zero W which act to provide the plant with continual and even exposure to sunlight.

The Platform

Alongside all the actual design/manufacturing processes is the slow but steady development of the networked platform described in the last update. The platform must be solid in its principles and agile in its structure. Due to the expected scale of future usage, we must be absolutely sure of the processes coded into the structure. Due to the nature of the industry, agility and client/vendor integration are highly desired traits. Everything must be interconnected.

Note on Business Strategy

Following a lay-off during the height of the COVID pandemic, I found myself with an overabundance of time and ideas, an under-abundance of work opportunities, and a mixed bag of resources. In this climate I decided to strike out on my own quest of developing an organization to build equity in my competencies, to develop further strengths, and to pave my own way for my own future. The resulting organizations were AMPEL, Twentynineteen, and GC Productions. Critical assets included all the technologies in those organizations, now with legitimate state-recognized structure, and my way forward involved a return to academics at Purdue University’s online school (I had dropped out of my first institution to pursue asset management opportunities).

Purdue

Though first undertaken reluctantly, I quickly realized that my studies at Purdue were the window I needed back into peer review and critical feedback. I cannot underscore how helpful the construction of projects and publication of papers has been to the development at AMPEL. While in pursuit of a degree in Business Admin I have been able to focus a portion of my papers on the structure and processes which now form the foundation for AMPEL.

A Deviation from Automation

At its inception, AMPEL’s platform and associated operations were envisioned as requiring minimal human involvement: hundreds of generative processes would develop the product. In theory this is still possible and platform architecture provides for many of these processes. In reality I have decided to stray further from the idea of automation because I recognize there is a need for the gainful employment of my fellow man.

In this rapidly changing world I will target not only essential skill sets but also desired mindsets. The ability to adapt is very important and I would rather hire someone who asks “how should we do this?” rather than someone who will tell me “you can’t do that”. Thus I will be somewhat more interested to the motivations, habits, and mindfulness of these prospects than their credentials.

Conclusions

I have had my fair share of supporters and “haters” on all projects and am thankful for both parties. The supporters provide feedback and encouragement; the haters provide just as useful feedback though often become unintentional detractors on mental health. Thanks to all!