I’ve held a number of positions at various startups before ezrobot, which inspired me to create this platform that you have all known to use and trust with your projects. The concept was simple, but a huge endeavor. I envisioned a software platform that combined the abilities of great programmers (plugins) and provided a user interface that allowed you (the makers) to make your robot dreams a reality.
I realized robotics was the only industry that required a PhD or lifelong dedication to programming and engineering. Which fueled my passion to democratize robot development with a behavioral based creator platform - that anyone with an idea could use.
When I first began experimenting with the software idea, I was unable to find hardware that provided the full potential of the software – and ease-of-use. I explored Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and various other PCB controllers that never quite made it this far to 2018 to mention. I never intended to be in the hardware business, and originally reached out to a number of established companies pitching my software idea in 2011. SparkFun, Parallax, SolarBotics and more. The common census at the time was “that’s too big to tackle, and therefore we can’t back your hardware needs”. Well, that was 2011 and ezrobot has more success stories than any other combined hardware/software platform. Lately, the market is starting to see similar efforts by competitors – which validates our personal investment. And when I mention “our”, I include you, the community that’s helped make it possible.
So before you continue reading, give your shoulder a pat for a job well done :)
A business is fueled by a vision, which is split into smaller achievable steps – something you’re all familiar with even when building your robot. Rome wasn’t built in a day. In 2014 we released Revolution, the line of clip’n’play robots. A successful endeavor to introduce EZ-Builder to the education market. The website had slowly pivoted toward that customer demographic, which unfortunately meant re-positioning the DIY Maker community into a single tab on the website.
I can’t thank you enough for the support that you’ve been able to provide the education customers with questions well beneath your capabilities – which is why you're a fundamental reason we’re here today.
Over the last few years, we have so many successful robots built on the platform - and approaching 5,000 apps in our appstore, making this community the World's largest robot appstore!
On that note, I’ll continue by telling you my vision of ezrobot.
The world has become dependent on connectivity due to the internet – and ezrobot has followed that trend by offloading processing to a more powerful and power-hungry device (i.e. the PC) via WiFi or Bluetooth (in the past). We’re continuing down that path of providing a cloud based solution where EZ-Builder projects live to control robots from anywhere with an internet connection.
So, what does this have to do with you?
I’ve been listening – and realize your passion of building robots has been limited by the direction the education market is taking ezrobot – and that making hardware is less of my passion than providing a community portal and software platform for hardware manufacturers to add native support to EZ-Builder.
This means we’ve been hard at work splitting the company into two divisions. The EZ-Robot brand has become a popular name for Education, leaving the DIY Maker community feeling left out. It’s your turn to shine and the new division of the company is 100% focused on supporting DIY Makers. This means a new brand, website and community portal – which all existing historical data is being migrated to. The ezrobot website will no longer host a community forum and be entirely education product focused, while the new company will be 100% focused on you, the maker community – so we can build robots together in a nurturing environment that we once had.
There’s some legalities and development I’m finalizing – which I’ll be creating a video explaining this in more detail with a personalized message to you. The new company website is being built from scratch by a very talented ezrobot web developer who is moving to the new company division to maintain continued development. It will be catered to your DIY Maker needs, specifically. We also have a team working on partnerships with hardware manufacturers to expand the range of sensors and add-ons for your robot creations.
Additionally, the EZ-Builder software is undergoing a complete re-write with a new modern user interface and many additional features - including cross-platform support for Linux (raspberry Pi) and MacOS. This means your robot projects can run on low cost hardware as well as the internet cloud.
Regarding hardware support, such as Lidar, IPS, etc.. The new company division won't be distracted with the education market, and therefore able to prioritize new hardware development and support of 3rd party hardware.
When is this happening?
- The soft launch for the new company website is targeted November 16th 2018 – public announcement and press release announced December 1st 2018.
- The new software will be re-branded and released after the new year.
- The new company division name and details will be released to you shortly.
- Stay tuned!
I realized robotics was the only industry that required a PhD or lifelong dedication to programming and engineering. Which fueled my passion to democratize robot development with a behavioral based creator platform - that anyone with an idea could use.
When I first began experimenting with the software idea, I was unable to find hardware that provided the full potential of the software – and ease-of-use. I explored Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and various other PCB controllers that never quite made it this far to 2018 to mention. I never intended to be in the hardware business, and originally reached out to a number of established companies pitching my software idea in 2011. SparkFun, Parallax, SolarBotics and more. The common census at the time was “that’s too big to tackle, and therefore we can’t back your hardware needs”. Well, that was 2011 and ezrobot has more success stories than any other combined hardware/software platform. Lately, the market is starting to see similar efforts by competitors – which validates our personal investment. And when I mention “our”, I include you, the community that’s helped make it possible.
So before you continue reading, give your shoulder a pat for a job well done :)
A business is fueled by a vision, which is split into smaller achievable steps – something you’re all familiar with even when building your robot. Rome wasn’t built in a day. In 2014 we released Revolution, the line of clip’n’play robots. A successful endeavor to introduce EZ-Builder to the education market. The website had slowly pivoted toward that customer demographic, which unfortunately meant re-positioning the DIY Maker community into a single tab on the website.
I can’t thank you enough for the support that you’ve been able to provide the education customers with questions well beneath your capabilities – which is why you're a fundamental reason we’re here today.
Over the last few years, we have so many successful robots built on the platform - and approaching 5,000 apps in our appstore, making this community the World's largest robot appstore!
On that note, I’ll continue by telling you my vision of ezrobot.
The world has become dependent on connectivity due to the internet – and ezrobot has followed that trend by offloading processing to a more powerful and power-hungry device (i.e. the PC) via WiFi or Bluetooth (in the past). We’re continuing down that path of providing a cloud based solution where EZ-Builder projects live to control robots from anywhere with an internet connection.
So, what does this have to do with you?
I’ve been listening – and realize your passion of building robots has been limited by the direction the education market is taking ezrobot – and that making hardware is less of my passion than providing a community portal and software platform for hardware manufacturers to add native support to EZ-Builder.
This means we’ve been hard at work splitting the company into two divisions. The EZ-Robot brand has become a popular name for Education, leaving the DIY Maker community feeling left out. It’s your turn to shine and the new division of the company is 100% focused on supporting DIY Makers. This means a new brand, website and community portal – which all existing historical data is being migrated to. The ezrobot website will no longer host a community forum and be entirely education product focused, while the new company will be 100% focused on you, the maker community – so we can build robots together in a nurturing environment that we once had.
There’s some legalities and development I’m finalizing – which I’ll be creating a video explaining this in more detail with a personalized message to you. The new company website is being built from scratch by a very talented ezrobot web developer who is moving to the new company division to maintain continued development. It will be catered to your DIY Maker needs, specifically. We also have a team working on partnerships with hardware manufacturers to expand the range of sensors and add-ons for your robot creations.
Additionally, the EZ-Builder software is undergoing a complete re-write with a new modern user interface and many additional features - including cross-platform support for Linux (raspberry Pi) and MacOS. This means your robot projects can run on low cost hardware as well as the internet cloud.
Regarding hardware support, such as Lidar, IPS, etc.. The new company division won't be distracted with the education market, and therefore able to prioritize new hardware development and support of 3rd party hardware.
When is this happening?
- The soft launch for the new company website is targeted November 16th 2018 – public announcement and press release announced December 1st 2018.
- The new software will be re-branded and released after the new year.
- The new company division name and details will be released to you shortly.
- Stay tuned!
Hooray! That is good news!
After nearly 3 years away from Ez-Robot due to health and other reasons I returned to the community forum a few months ago and read posts for many days, I was shocked to find that not much has happened in the time I was away! I'm talking about hardware. The store still has the same items with only a couple of new sensors. I'm sure that the software has been regularly updated. I was very happy to see that the regular old faithful contributors were still here, enthusiastic as ever!
DJ, I'm glad that you will continue to maintain a forum and support for the DIY Maker community and hopefully it will be revitalised with expanded sensors and add-ons!
I'm eagerly watching this space!
@dj, First off thank you for you kudos to the DIY community. It’s nice to be remembered and recognized, especially those of us who’ve been around for several years and have seen the company grow.
**Edit: After re reading it a couple of times it seems more likely that you will partner with existing hardware and write code to be compatible with the software.
I guess I have a few questions about the division.
how will this new division decide what new products will be developed and supported by the software.
will there be two different softwares.. one for education and one for the DIY with all the added support? Or will new hardware be supported by plug ins?
what kind of time line would exist from the time a product is chosen to be manufactured til the time it would be released?
Could this new DIY marketplace also be a place for us to market our robots? Very much like the robot shops acceleration program. That would in the long run gain momentum for both the division and a robot DIY builder.
There's tens of thousands of makers using this software - only a few hundred of you actively participate in forum conversations. Following interviews with customers, we recognized how the education product messaging mix affects the community. We're not creating the new company division for conversational discussions - we're creating the new company division to support robot builds.
You asked in another thread who was interviewed - very few of you. Instead we spoke with many who have never posted.
The forum is a small component of what this will offer developers and creators. There's thousands and thousands of DIY robots built with ARC per year, and none of you know it's happening - because they don't participate with the small group hidden away in the back room of this website, here.
The initiative is to change that - and provide room for the platform to grow.
That’s interesting. I had no idea. Looking forward to its launch then. And everything it involves.
You got my vote... Good news for the DIY guys... I hope this actually comes to fruition. I have many more projects that have been on hold that I would really like to further develop and post...
Great news! As someone who considers himself a "newbie" in this community, I'm very excited to be a part of it now and hopefully be here to see it grow into something even better!
I'm glad to see you confirm that you do indeed have much more builders out there than these forums would suggest. It always puzzled me why more people weren't using EZ-Robot to realize their robot projects, so if there are indeed more people using the platform than I thought I see that as great news.
A new dawn, again. Soooo excited, I can't wait.
This is a great direction DJ. Very excited for you. I just recently retired so I am looking forward to some new projects. Awesome!
DJ, that is great news ! I am excited to be a part of this community. I am also excited to see the new software you have mentioned. Thank you for keeping us in mind. Thank you for the shout out to the community.
I have one question, within your vision, will this provide you with more time to work with the DIY makers ?
Your input as has many on this site been very useful to myself. This would be a good time to thank everyone in the community for their assistance.
DJ, When you said you had some exciting news, you were not kidding. This is awesome. I love the software just as it is but am excited to see what new features the new software will bring. Don't tell my wife I said so but I think this will be my favorite Christmas present this year. Thank you DJ for all your hard work you are a true visionary.
Super excited by the news DJ! I agree, the community has been a massive part of your growth, and its great to see some recognition of our years of support. I'm sure the DIY community will be happy to help shape this new division and direct it where needed!
This sounds like a great decision and direction. fxrtst brought up some great questions and I'm sure most of them will be answered with time. I remember you often saying there are many more builders out there then post on this forum. If your numbers are accurate then it's staggering to know how popular EZ Robot is out there in the wild in the robotics community. With support like that you can't go wrong. This is going to be very interesting and fun to watch. More so, it will be an honor to be a part of it as we go forward.
I hope there will be a portal like this for us to communicate with each other and lend a hand or advise when needed. I cant see this working without it. Lots of questions in my head about the new rewritten software and how things will be structured. Again, time will tell. Exciting times. Kinda reminds me of just before Revolution and the V4 EZB was released.
Thanks DJ. Excellent vision!
Any idea what the new DIY brand will be named?
Thanks guys - it’s been in the works for half a year.
I don’t think you’ve noticed the achievement section on the community page near the bottom to see how many of you there actually are... You can get an idea of the number of users and new signups.
I know this new division is something you’re all going to enjoy
Very awesome news DJ! I can't wait to see it come together and help as a community member support it.
I wanted to post to be able to get updates on the conversation but while I'm here I also wanted to say thank you to all our community members!
You guys/gals are an incredible and creative bunch of robot builders and we are excited to have you with us on these next steps in our journey!
As Always when these announcements take place.....its a painful time waiting...getting super excited! Looking forward to your video.
Will we get updates along the way on what will be involved and when?
Thanks DJ I to can't wait to see the new Ez-Robot or what ever it will be called. I am one of the thousands that DJ mentioned that never contribute to the community, and don't show on the stats. and I know of other Robot builders that are the same way, we just Lurk on sites like this one. gaining a great deal of knowledge. When I found Ez-Robot with ARC, I said this is what I am looking for. but The format was directed toward Education. especially Kids education. but I saw the power and I mean the HUGE power of Ez-robot and builder and I see Education as only a small part of it's potential. So I am all for and can't wait to see this transformation. I have been following DJ Sures on the internet for a very long time, long before EZ_Robot and to me he is a true Genius.
@Jeremie - It works both ways. If everyone (members and staff) weren't so responsive, it wouldn't be half of what it is now!
@fxrtst - Look who's talking! (>cough< Alan... >cough< Guardians... >cough< (although I will admit any Guardians info depends on the Empire, ah, Disney.)
lol @ warpig's comment
This all sounds very exciting.
Like many, I have many hobbies outside of robotics. After working with other hardware/software solutions with no success I almost packed it in. The ease and power of EZR pulled me back from the edge. Plus the support on the forum and knowing that the progenitor of the company cared if I was having success.
So I am excited to see what happens. And I intend to show my support in the best way I know how for someone with my skills. Spending money with EZR.
So, what will I get to spend it on.....That is the question
@warpig I wear too many hats to actually get anything completed within a timely manner with info....stress....make up artist, 3d designer, 3d printer-er, 3D animator, father, husband, CEO, robot builder...a party of one. Maybe its time for a partner?
Will, that’s how a company is started. Maybe you’re next
let’s see how the new company division can help monetize your efforts
Oh yeah it sure is! Really looking forward to what the new division encompasses.
Sorry, I'm taken.
..dang back to the drawing board!
@DJ, Thanks for doing this
Frank
Will all our legacy software still work or will we have to rewrite?
Legacy projects will still work
Thank DJ
blush
This was fantastic news to read! As a diy creator and so many great ideas in my head that just need a little push watching out for latest parts and technology,I am stoked!
Is it time for the new ezrobot DIY announcement?
It is
I return to Calgary to launch the new website on Monday - we’re aiming to have it online mid to late next week. Some travel for another presentation got in the way. Stay tuned!
Well the rest of this year just got way more interesting!
Thanks DJ. I’m feeling like a kid the night before Christmas anxiously waiting for Christmas morning.
Hehe me to! We’ve been working so hard on this that I know everyone is excited over here to tell you. This trip is going to take for ever because I just want to get back to Calgary and move the ball on the announcement
I have been here since the beginning of EZ robot, I will be excited to be here for the next company!
I returned to Calgary - we're starting to migrate the existing data over to the new website database and a few tweaks to the new website. Some of you have been investigating with the small easter egg i snuck in the other day - good for you!
There's a lot more to the story - stay tuned a few more days
:) He He He
I was never very good at finding easter eggs. stress
Will - it didn't take you as long as i thought it would. That placeholder has been there for nearly 2 months, but i have google and all search disabled so it can't be found. When i made that easter egg, i thought it would be a very subtle sneak.
Let's see who else finds it
Aww Geez, now my brain has gone into full blown curiosity mode confused
....right on the nose.. once you know where to look...was hoping it was like the end of Willy Wonka...
You know, i've never seen willy wonka! Does the little kid because a chocolate slave or something?
If you ever do, do your self a favor and never watch the Tim Burton version, you'd be scared...but highly recommend the older 60's version with Gene Wilder...the movie is definitely for dreamers!
"Come with me and you'll be in a world of pure imagination. Take a look and you'll see into your imagination"
Loved that movie, I was just telling @DJ about the glass elevator this past week lol.
I'm so lost trying to find this easter egg!... I'm searching through the website's code!
@jeremie you got it exactly! Wonkavator !
I might watch it tonight. Although lately to relax I’ve been consumed with VR!
Haha there some good VR videos on YouTube. It is immersive, there is a movie from the 80s called Brainstorm that kinda predicted VR, but in that instance it recorded people’s memories. Another good film.
Zoinks! I think I may have found it! eek
Hahaha - this is like Ready Player One with easter eggs
Well, I found it!
Have any of you seen Ready Player One or read the book?
It’s a fun movie. Engaging story and excellent effects. I especially like seeing the throwback video games and the good music.
Totally, right? The easter egg part is my favorite... The book gets way more detailed into how the easter eggs are hidden.
Yeah loved and own the movie. I’m from Ohio and a friend of mine is friends with the author of the books. I had not read them, but so many Easter eggs in the film. That’s my entire era.
I enjoyed finding the Easter eggs in the movie. Sounds like I have to add the book to my reading list.
Wonder if you can find the next easter egg with all my references to ReadyPlayerOne combined with the thing you already found hmmm
When will it be online? I am so hoping there is something about the shipping costs/problems. Announcing you can order parts through Amazon. I can dream but this build up seems to be something quite big.
shipping cost? We've had free shipping for 3 weeks
How much longer will there be free shipping and is it still shipping from China?
until we identify a more suitable logistics channel. I think they’re looking into amazon the last I heard for logistic fullfillment
Sounds great, love Amazon,they are usually very fast shipping! Not complaining about EZ shipping as last time my replacement board also came surprisingly fast. So the free shipping,how long do I have? Needing the EZ Camera for my vacuum bot I want to build up.Few other parts I can bundle too.
Not sure - I’d reach out to Contact Us and inquire
Thanks DJ, will do , hoping tuesday still on.
Mention that in your contact us, i'm sure they'll accommodate. The more feedback they receive from customers the more likely they are to accommodate. The forum is my happy place for technical discussions and features. I don't step into the sales department very often
They're masters of their own magic!
Hi DJ. Understand there is free slow boat shipping from China to the US. Free shipping that takes a month isn't really a high value. Maybe you could keep some inventory in Calgary where you are located. That would help.
Our shipping is dhl 3 day priority. EZ-Robot has never and will never use postal shipping. Where did you find information to understand that is a shipping option so I can have it updated?
@Perry_S Every order I got from EZ Robot came via DHL in usually less than a week...
Sounds nice. Wish i could get mine in that timeframe. I’m jealous. I have heard the packages come quicker to Canada.
Will have to try again when I see the new offerings that this change brings. Excited to see what is brewing.
I have never had the shipping take more than 3 days. Order processing used to take quite a while, but my last order (which I see was a year ago) only took 2 days to process.
Alan
Any custom charges for the "Free Shipping" to Canada ? Hidden charges are always fun.
I placed order Thursday and it will arrive Monday
Shipping has been great
Sounds like things have gotten better then. My bad experience was about 1/2 year ago. It took me 3 1/2 weeks. Glad to see things running well.
?
@ggr_scott Are we there yet?... Are we there yet?... Are we there yet?... Give it a rest man...
Yessssssss. I just finished filming an intro video for you all to explain what just happened. I’m at the airport flying out for a board meeting. So we scheduled the announcement to Monday.
Thanks DJ.
@richardr - no need to be rude. I'm just checking in. While I understand that there are a lot of moving parts to creating an new company and delays occur, the initial notice said there would be a website launch on November 16th and Dec. 1st announcement. Today is November 29th.
So, if some of us are more anxious than you, no need to be rude. I'm sure DJ can handle himself.
I am just as anxious as you... It happens when it happens.... just sit tight... And nobody is being rude. You are reading "tone" in my post(s) when there isn't any...
So can someone cough up the easter egg to the website? I was too slow to figure it out!
Great news about cross-platform to MacOS. This will make my life much simpler! Thank you.
@Perry-S The only thing I could find that was very out of place was ONION. not sure if it is the easter egg but it sure was unusual. I don't even know what a easter egg is related to web sites? confused
Hold your Pee until the 1st, you should have gone before we left! Don’t make me turn this card around!
OK, here's a clue. I had a little help finding it myself. Look at the robot's chest monitor in this thread: synthiam.com/Community/Questions/11811
Sorry if I just stole the ideal. eek
Thanks Dave. I figured it out now. Cool.
Geez - you guys are still on that first easter egg? Missed all my other hints for the second one...
I had to be helped with the first. think I will just wait instead.
I think I give up as well. I found the first clue -m .cloud youtube channel and domain but can't find second clue. adventure atari copper jade crystal agghhh
Yeah I had to be helped too. I'm not hip. The "player one" hint someone mentioned through me 1000% because I'm thinking...the key is to go backwords...like reverse the website name "robots-EZ" or something...BUT NOOOoooooo lol
If you're looking for someone to test drive the Mac OS software when it's in beta, I'd be more than happy to volunteer. I'm running Mojave on a Mac Pro. My company is primarily in the promotions end of the entertainment industry; the website is here: www.brandywine.tv/blog.