Original Article: http://www.acceleratoryyc.com/post/47567103821/startup-stories-dj-sures-of-ez-robot-makes-sci-fi
Have you ever dreamt of having your very own robot? A robot who would play music when you ask, dance for your entertainment and bring you a beer? It may seem like something from a futuristic science fiction movie, but those dreams are becoming realities thanks to EZ-Robot!
Founded by DJ Sures, EZ-Robot is a company that creates a platform for regular people to build their dream robot using their unified hardware and software. Users can program their creations to do almost anything they imagine. How did this amazing company with an amazing product come into being? DJ credits a moment with his grandfather as the starting point for the company.
"I started building robots for fun," DJ explained. "I was sitting with my grandfather one day at the beach. I was working on a robot and he said, 'would you teach me how to build one of those?' I replied 'that's impossible; you can't just teach someone how to build a robot.' Then he said, 'If you want to change the world, that's what you should do, make it so everybody can build a robot,' and I said 'Alright, I'll try it!' A year later, I came up with the technical foundation of [EZ-Robot]'s product line."
EZ-Robot has grown into a company that has allowed people to create robots that can walk, dance, fly, listen to speech commands, and visually track and detect objects. It's not just regular people who are fans too, but also many universities and even NASA, are using EZ-Robot products to develop some incredible machines.
DJ describes his experience as an entrepreneur as a 'personal evolution.'
"I've always worked for startups," says DJ. "I've been a co-founder but never a creator from ground up. It was a personal evolution that was bound to happen."
DJ also notes that as an entrepreneur, he learned that it could get lonely at times and that it's important to assemble a trusting support team. However, this yearning for others to see what you're doing and get a little help could also lead to mistakes while hunting for the right team.
"[Looking] for support from others can distract you from the work you need to do. I spent a lot of time meeting with people and companies that I thought wanted to help, but really they just wanted money or equity, or didn't even know what the [heck] they wanted. My suggestion to early entrepreneurs is to believe and trust your gut. That's one of the advantages of being human - intuition."
But leaving the past behind, DJ says the future is looking bright for EZ-Robot, thanks to his amazing team.
"People have come and gone over the past year and a half, and those who stuck around are truly remarkable people. There's no real hierarchy, everybody participates in the same level playing field. It's what I'm most proud of."
Throughout the process of growing his company, DJ says that AcceleratorYYC has been a resource that he utilized many times and is proud to be a virtual member of the co-working space.
"AcceleratorYYC has been able to offer a wide variety of informative programs, speakers and events," says DJ. "These were huge assets to supporting the early growth of EZ-Robot."
So what does EZ-Robot have in store for 2013? DJ says there will be an unveiling of a new product called "EZ-Robot Revolution." He describes it as a lifestyle product that will produce a Lego-type robot platform. The new product will be accompanied by an app store where users can make apps for robot functionality to share with other users. EZ-Robot will also be jumping on the 3D printer bandwagon, utilizing the technology as a part of the robot building process. Of course, the company is also growing and DJ is looking to double or even triple the team this summer of 2013.
When it comes down to it, DJ truly wants the world to understand what "robot" really means. It could be an EZ-Robot companion that brings you coffee, something that dances to Rihanna's music, can act as a security system, or aid disabilities. The possibilities are endless. When you think about it, it only took a bit of imagination and an entrepreneur that listened to his grandfather to make people's sci-fi dreams into realities.
Have you ever dreamt of having your very own robot? A robot who would play music when you ask, dance for your entertainment and bring you a beer? It may seem like something from a futuristic science fiction movie, but those dreams are becoming realities thanks to EZ-Robot!
Founded by DJ Sures, EZ-Robot is a company that creates a platform for regular people to build their dream robot using their unified hardware and software. Users can program their creations to do almost anything they imagine. How did this amazing company with an amazing product come into being? DJ credits a moment with his grandfather as the starting point for the company.
"I started building robots for fun," DJ explained. "I was sitting with my grandfather one day at the beach. I was working on a robot and he said, 'would you teach me how to build one of those?' I replied 'that's impossible; you can't just teach someone how to build a robot.' Then he said, 'If you want to change the world, that's what you should do, make it so everybody can build a robot,' and I said 'Alright, I'll try it!' A year later, I came up with the technical foundation of [EZ-Robot]'s product line."
EZ-Robot has grown into a company that has allowed people to create robots that can walk, dance, fly, listen to speech commands, and visually track and detect objects. It's not just regular people who are fans too, but also many universities and even NASA, are using EZ-Robot products to develop some incredible machines.
DJ describes his experience as an entrepreneur as a 'personal evolution.'
"I've always worked for startups," says DJ. "I've been a co-founder but never a creator from ground up. It was a personal evolution that was bound to happen."
DJ also notes that as an entrepreneur, he learned that it could get lonely at times and that it's important to assemble a trusting support team. However, this yearning for others to see what you're doing and get a little help could also lead to mistakes while hunting for the right team.
"[Looking] for support from others can distract you from the work you need to do. I spent a lot of time meeting with people and companies that I thought wanted to help, but really they just wanted money or equity, or didn't even know what the [heck] they wanted. My suggestion to early entrepreneurs is to believe and trust your gut. That's one of the advantages of being human - intuition."
But leaving the past behind, DJ says the future is looking bright for EZ-Robot, thanks to his amazing team.
"People have come and gone over the past year and a half, and those who stuck around are truly remarkable people. There's no real hierarchy, everybody participates in the same level playing field. It's what I'm most proud of."
Throughout the process of growing his company, DJ says that AcceleratorYYC has been a resource that he utilized many times and is proud to be a virtual member of the co-working space.
"AcceleratorYYC has been able to offer a wide variety of informative programs, speakers and events," says DJ. "These were huge assets to supporting the early growth of EZ-Robot."
So what does EZ-Robot have in store for 2013? DJ says there will be an unveiling of a new product called "EZ-Robot Revolution." He describes it as a lifestyle product that will produce a Lego-type robot platform. The new product will be accompanied by an app store where users can make apps for robot functionality to share with other users. EZ-Robot will also be jumping on the 3D printer bandwagon, utilizing the technology as a part of the robot building process. Of course, the company is also growing and DJ is looking to double or even triple the team this summer of 2013.
When it comes down to it, DJ truly wants the world to understand what "robot" really means. It could be an EZ-Robot companion that brings you coffee, something that dances to Rihanna's music, can act as a security system, or aid disabilities. The possibilities are endless. When you think about it, it only took a bit of imagination and an entrepreneur that listened to his grandfather to make people's sci-fi dreams into realities.
An amazing accolade! congrats DJ! ..and kudos to your grandfather to inspire you
...2013 is going to be big for your company EZ Robot, with Revolution
..The EZ community is certainly proud of your work and we're all happy to be on board. Anybody that sees F.R.E.D is amazed . The First thing I say is the brains and nervous system(EZ Board) was built by DJ Sures from Calgary. Because F.R.E.D can travel to the future and back within his H.G.Wells inspired time machine I've been told EZ Robots are making humans happier!
Haha, I dig that! Thank you
None of this would have been possible without EZ Community! You rock!
Read that on Facebook yesterday, huge congratulations! 2013 will see some great things and I am glad to be a part of it. I cannot wait for the revolution, from the bits and bobs that have been mentioned and leaked it looks very awesome! You truly are a visionary and an inspiration to all!
I am not surprised and I do expect to hear more and more in the future. I can say that I am one of these people that would have never thought of Robots and building one before introduced to EZ-Robot, the great inspiration and vision of DJ. EZ-Robot user groups are growing day by day and I do admire the spirit within the community.
Good work and keep impressing us Dj and Ez-Robot team.
I cant wait for revolution!
could you give a hint when its coming out? Q1? Q2? Q3? Q4?
@Technopro, it was supposed to be earlier this year but due to the Makerbot Paperweight situation things were delayed...
So now, it has been said to be phased in in parts. Going by some unofficial information I've seen leaked around the place, and reading between the lines, May/June looks to be busy... But don't quote me on that, be nosey like I am and you can stumble upon screenshots and photos that give a few clues
So I guess Q2, maybe Q3...
This is just my educated guess, don't give anyone but me a hard time if it doesn't happen when I said
AWESOME DJ, Congrats.
Go for it, Son!
:D