Johnny J. Vang

M.S. Robotics | B.S Mechanical Engineering | Web/Android Developer
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jjvang | Github: github.com/jjvang | Email: johnnyjvang@gmail.com

I am a recent graduate having done a robotics M.S. at Oregon State University. I worked in the Personal Robotics Group with Dr. Bill Smart. My research interests involved the effects robots play in the workspace like hospitals and the dynamics of human-robot interactions over long periods of time. In my spare time, I like to watch movies, cook, and hunt the web for deals.


Projects & Skills

Graduate Research: Disinfection Robot for Infectious Disease

Advisor: Dr. Bill Smart

Developed and built an enclosed conveyor belt system that can help disinfect supplies with UV-C light. This conveyor system will work in conjunction with a robot that will allow the robot to enter and exit autonomously with the help of an automatic door. Inside, the robot will be exposed to UV-C light that will inactivate any harmful viruses like COVID-19 on the supplies. Path planning algorithms, electronics, and hardware for the conveyor belt system are currently in the developmental process.

Video Link: UV-C Light Sanitation v1
Video Link: Preliminary simulation of robot going through conveyor system
June 2020 - December 2020

Road Construction Robot using the Husky UGV

Advisor: Dr. Bill Smart

A Husky UGV was utilized to offload construction workers from high risk tasks. The task selected for this research was road caulking. To perform road caulking, custom attachments were made on the Husky to mount a 18V caulking gun. Simulation in Gazebo and real-life trails were done with the Husky to ensure the road caulking was performed accurately.

Video Link: Road Caulking Demo

Summer 2019 - Spring 2020

Detection of Artificial Bombs using the TurtleBot2

Project Minesweeper

This project deals with the detection of artificial red bombs using a TurtleBot2, Kinect, and USB webcam. After detecting a potential bomb, its location will be added into the robots global cost map. This allows the robot to plan navigation around the bombs and indicate to the user where the bombs are on the map. Preliminary test was conducted in simulations to help model the functionality of the minesweeping robot. The code was then debugged and transferred to run on the real TurtleBot2. The robot was successful to autonomously navigate through the environment with a prior known map and detect the red artificial bombs with a USB webcam separately. The TurtleBot2 was however unsuccessful to do both tasks simultaneously.

Video Link: Minesweeper Robot Simulation
Video Link: TurtleBot2 Test Trail with Move Base
Video Link: TurtleBot2 Test Trail to recognize red artifical bomb

Spring 2019

Investigating Human-Robot Handshakes Poses and Paths

Sequential Decision-Making Project

Robots often have difficulties navigating through human social interactions, in part due to the need to recognizably emulate human gestures and expressive motions. We approach the problem of determining superior poses and path planning algorithms for a human like handshake. To do so, this project includes a study on several key aspects of the handshake approach: the starting pose, the ending pose, and the path planning for intermediate poses and motion. To minimize false assumptions, a wide set of poses are arranged for initial screening and a final survey was sent out. We also present an RRT* variation with the objective of creating a maximally smooth trajectory. To deploy and test the produced handshake motion in situ, a UR5e executes the motion with input on the appropriately scaled poses from a facial recognition and locating system. We present the results of a survey of the human reception to several poses and existing path planning algorithms.

Video Link: Human-Robot Handshake with the UR5e

Winter 2019

EdX - MITx: 6.302.0x – Introduction to Control System Design

Online Course

Built and tested a high-performance DC copter fan to be controlled at various angles using the microcontroller Arduino utilizing a PID control system. Analyzed and derived the effects of different gains on the system with mixed inputs and outputs

January 2018 - April 2018

Undergraduate Research: Electromagnetic Tunable Vibration Absorber for Passive and Active Tremors Reduction in Parkinson’s

Prof The Nguyen

Modeled and 3D printed a wearable device to house custom made electromagnet, electronics, and regular neodymium magnets using the computer aided design software SolidWorks. Designed an experimental apparatus to test and validate the functionality of the device. Used a slow-motion camera to record and compute the reduction in amplitude of using the device, the natural frequency of the electromagnet, and the amplitude of the test instrument with various weights.

August 2014 - May 2015

Instrumentation and Measurement Lab: Beverage Acquisition Robot

Class Project

Devised an automated bartender to serve three unique types of cocktails which were ordered via a pushbutton and LCD screen. Won overall best group project and used project to win the Mahanty Award Scholarship for Fall 2014.

Fall 2013
Technical Skills
  • Software: Robot Operating System (ROS) | SolidWorks | Finite Element Analysis | AutoCAD 2D/3D | MATLAB | Android Studios
  • Languages: Python | Java | C/C++ | HTML/CSS
  • ETC: Basic Shop Tools | Mill/Lathe | Arduino | 3D Printing | Adobe Photoshop / Premier Pro / Audition

Experience

Graduate Research Assistant

Oregon State University

Under the department of energy, worked to help detect bird impacts on Wind Turbines. Used prior made impact detection devices to see if recorded data can be distinguishable with the use of machine learning and digital signal processing.

September 2019 - June 2020

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Oregon State University

Grade assignments and hold office hours to help assist students in understanding the fundamentals of dynamics. Work closely with dynamics professor to asses and cater different learning experiences from feedback during office hours.

September 2018 - June 2019

Android Developer

Master Hmong

Developed the android application Hmonglish with Android Studios which teaches basic Hmong language through voice recordings and have an impact of over 1000+ installs, 245 active installs, and 4.5/5 rating. Work along with Hmong teaching professionals to build and record categories for basic vocabulary, artistes to design compatible digital images, and group members to design and launch new updates to the app.

Hmonglish
December 2016 - December 2017

Substitute Teacher

Clovis Unified School District

Taught all grades of students from K-12, carried out lessons plans left by instructors, helped summaries the days progress, and ensured the safety for all students.

August 2017 - May 2018

PV II Designer

SolarCity

Designed and evaluated over 600 solar photovoltaic systems for residential homes (9000kW+ houses producing clean energy) using a combination of AutoCAD and custom software tools. Consistently ranked top for design quality having 100% error free jobs for six months running. Communicated verbally and in writing with multiple levels in the organization to ensure accurate designs and warn crew members about any precautionary safety hazards prior to each installation. Determined the feasibility of each design by doing structural analysis, electrical load calculations, shade readings, and thoroughly checking through the home’s interior and exterior photos for safety concerns.

July 2015 - December 2016

Education

Oregon State University

Master of Science
Robotics

GPA: 3.91/4.0

Expected Graduation: December 2020

California State University, Fresno

Bachelor of Science
Mechanical Engineering

Major GPA: 3.91/4.0

Graduated: May 2015

Affiliations & Leadership Roles

  • Co-Founder · Sundogs Alternative Energy Club · August 2014 | President, Fall 2014 – Spring 2015
  • Co-Founder · Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers Fresno State Chapter · June 2013 | President, Fall 2013 – Spring 2014, Secretary, Fall 2014 – 2015
  • Community Activities Director · Hmong Student Association · January 2014 – June 2014
  • Marketing Director · Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers · June 2013 – June 2014
  • Member, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Fall 2013
  • Member, Engineering (Tau Beta Pi), Fall 2013
  • Member, Mechanical Engineering (Pi Tau Sigma), Fall 2013

Presentations & Awards

  • Thirty-Sixth Annual Central California Research Symposium – Poster Presentations, Spring 2015
  • Lyles College of Engineering 8th annual Projects Day – Poster Presentation, Spring 2015
  • 2014 SACNAS National Conference – Poster Presentation, Fall 2014
  • CSU-LSAMP Undergraduate Summer Research Program – Oral Presentation, Summer 2014
  • Eight Annual UC Merced Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium – Oral Presentation, Summer 2014
  • Thirty-Fifth Annual Central California Research Symposium – Poster Presentation, Spring 2014
  • Lyles College of Engineering 7th annual Projects Day – Poster Presentation, Spring 2014


  • Best Photoshop - California State University, Fresno - Hackathon 2016
  • 1st Place - Group Project - California State University, Fresno - Instrumentation and Measurement Lab - Fall 2013
  • Peter James and Edna Louise Grilione Memorial Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering, Spring 2014, Fall 2014 - Spring 2015
  • Mahanty Award, Fall 2014 – Spring 2015
  • Undergraduate Research Grant, Fall 2013 – Spring 2014, Fall 2014-Spring 2015