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On a Roll with RoadTests and How To Benefit from Participating in the RoadTest Program

rscasny

I recall prior to the COVD-19 pandemic, we were launching roadtests all the time. I think in 2018/19, we launched around 50 roadtests. Then COVID-19 came. We slowed down considerably more due to delays in getting roadtest products than anything else. 

Last year, the delays lessened, but this year (2023), I seem to be getting products easily and before I launch the roadtests.

So I am really interested in having members who really want to do a roadtest and who have the time to do one to take a look at our roadtests.

I really try to launch roadtests for different skill levels: from the hobbyist to the expert. 

I think roadtests are a good place to learn something new. (And, yes, be challenged sometimes by the technology at times). 

I make an effort if roadtesters need help to get it for them.. Likewise, if roadtesters found a roadtest difficult, I bring that back to the sponsor. So, roadtesters provide a valuable service. 

I realize that people have busy lives, with family commitments, kids, or even a new job. And not everyone can do a roadtest.  But for those members who have room in their lives, I think doing a roadtest has satisfying personal and professional benefits. 

If you haven't roadtested before, take a look at the enrolling roadtests.

If any of our experienced roadtesters have the time to respond, it would be good to tell new roadtesters how you (personally or professionally) benefited from participating in the roadtest program

Cheers.

Randall Scasny

RoadTest Program Manager

  • in reply to michaelwylie
    michaelwylie said:
    Unfortunately, unless E14 assumes the tax liability

    And/or changes how the RoadTest system works for high-cost items for those in the US in my eyes, which I feel would be a good halfway house solution.

    But unfortunately, this reply is only reflective of my opinion, not the broader decisions made by the team. 

  • in reply to cstanton

    Yes. Unfortunately, unless E14 assumes the tax liability, I can't really participate. There have been other testers who were hit with a tax bill for half the cost of the item they were testing.

  • in reply to misaz

    Not wanting to dredge this up again but they're likely referring to:

    "If you are a US taxpayer, and you are selected as a roadtester for a product that is valued over $600, we are required by law to have you complete a W-9 form and at the end of the year the company will issue you a 1099 form; the value of the product will be considered as income. If you are NOT a US taxpayer, article 3.6 of our terms and conditions says "Winners are responsible for all applicable taxes, duties or other charges payable in relation to any prize." You need to contact your tax authority or personal accountant to determine if you have a tax responsibility."

    As per  A Conversation About RoadTests, COVID-19, 100% Club, 2020 Results, Challenges, Tax Responsibility, Roadtester Q&A Webinar  and Comment on RoadTest Terms & Conditions: Tax Liability  

  • in reply to michaelwylie

    Official rules mention tax liability but in practice all packages which I received as far were shipped by UPS in DDP mode. I sometime have to fill form but never paid anything.

  • The issue for me has been the tax issue. I think I could do quite a good RoadTest review on some of the more expensive gear, but I can't afford the tax liability that accompanies the RoadTest.

  • The road test program is a fantastic way to acquire and learn about electronic products and instrumentation. I get to participate one or two times per year and have considerably broadened my knowledge and dramatically improved my collection of electronics modules and instrumentation. You also learn how to write successful proposals and create technical blogs. It can be a bit intimidating to apply, but you can always start with simple components and modules to get experience with the process. Reviewing the published road tests will provide lots of ideas on how it is done. It has certainly been a very enriching and rewarding experience for me. I highly recommend it.

  • Hello everyone.

    I have acquired a tremendous amount of knowledge in embedded systems, by participating in RoadTest sponsored by various vendors, here on element14. My interest are in Evaluation Kits and I have been supplied with many from companies such as NXP, Lattice, Renesas, Nordic, Infineon/Cypress, AMD Xilinx, Raspberry PI and Arduino . I have typically evaluated the Embedded Software environments of Development Kits. I also have evaluated the community surrounding the kit by utilizing the Forums, and Support available for the kits on the company website.  I always, evaluate and scrutinize the documentation on accuracy and interpretation.

    Typically for evaluating products for element14 RoadTest, I have been experimenting with example programs available for the kit to gain knowledge with the toolchains. The examples help an intermediate embedded developer like me, to evaluate the usage of the product. A well written example is worth its weight in gold. The examples, also have helped me to experiment with Embedded  RTOS's, Connecting Sensors, Embedded Protocols and best practices and Connectivity protocols like Wi-FI, BLE, LTE-M and LoRaWAN .

    The roadtest program has some very interesting evaluation kits to offer. I have completed a total of 12 roadtest reviews to date. If your new to the Roadtest program, I suggest you apply for the Roadtest that you are interested in even If you have not worked with a similar kit or toolchain before. What do you have to loss and you will lean something new if your application gets accepted.

    If your interested, please refer to my My Element14.com Activities blog on the element14 community. On this blog, I list all my work (RoadTest, Design Challenges and Webinars) on the community to date.

    Happy Road-testing everyone.

    Steve K

      

  • I would like to suggest some product that should be road tested.

  • in reply to Fred27

    Thank you! I'm still getting used to how this site works. I'll read several RoadTests to see what is expected.

  • I have completed 12 RoadTests and consider them an excellent way to pick up new skills and equipment. The program can’t be called “free” in my opinion as completing a RoadTest can take a considerable time commitment. I keep this mind and limit my applications to those where I have real interest based on a realistic opportunity to learn and obtain equipment I can use. A RoadTest doesn’t require you to be an expert although it may be highly advantageous in some cases. Make sure you have the capacity to perform a good RoadTest and demonstrate it in your application. Good luck!