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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

  • I have not been active in road tests for a while, but you have done such a great job of getting interesting equipment to test that I may jump back in.

  • My two RoadTest Reviews were great experiences.  It's a great way to try out hardware and share positive and negative experiences with the community.  Personally, it's a chance to keep my Embedded Engineering skills sharp and get my hands on some great gear.  I will definitely in more RoadTests, time and opportunities permitting.

  • RoadTests provided me the opportunity to learn about programming AMD (then Xilinx) FPGAs.  It definitely was a stretch for me, but a very rewarding experience.  I would encourage members to participate in the program if they have the time to invest in completing a roadtest.

  • As an electronics hobbyist, I love the RoadTest Program.  There is variety (aka things within my skill set).  I've been able to test the MultiComp Pro non-contact voltage detector and the Phoenix Contact ECS enclosure.  No bare metal programming or writing my own drivers.  Again, within my skill set. Laughing

    I have also learned a lot in trying to qualify myself - in my own mind.  Like , I actually read the documentation.  And... I've had to be honest with myself about being able to do what I say I'll do.  That kind of serious reflection has been good for me as well.  I like to start projects.  The RoadTest Program has made me commit to finishing them.

  • in reply to iker46

    Hey road test buddy! Congratulations on being selected. It looks like we're both road testing the BeaglePlay / BeagleConnect Freedom. As it's your first road test feel free to contact me if you have any issues you think I might be able to help with. There are plenty of others with BeagleBoard experience on here too and I'm sure they'd be happy to help too.

  • I first hit across the RoadTest program somewhere in 2020 and after applying a couple of times for the stuff I thought is interesting, I first got to work on a Bluetooth dev board. The diversity of products in amazing ranging from simple screwdrivers, and connectors, to beefy oscilloscopes and higher. 

    It's been an amazing experience for me roadtesting 5+ products with maybe quite a steep learning curve, inability to dig deeper as expected in some cases etc. I told about the existence of this amazing RT program to some of my friends and they think that it's 'too good to be true'. This is so great amazing opportunity that no one believes it exists and works out that way. For someone who's interested to start off with RodTesting, just go for it if you think something looks interesting to you and can play with it making some experiments, and 100% no regrets. Maybe some applications may not work - may seem like demotivating? after a lot of procrastination to hit that apply and submit button but no wonder with good planned application and if the enthusiasm to go hands-on is shown, it turns out good.

  • I wrote my first Road Test with the AMD KV260 Vision Kit (although had applied to others. I'm writing my second now ! hurray ). It was outside my comfort zone, but I loved it.

    I had to research a lot and that's what I love about it. Challenge.

    They make you think and learn .

    I always strive to give my best and always thinking what could possibly a reader be thinking when reading my review. Will they understand it ? Is it clear enough? Or am i writing gibberish that no one will understand?

    We always grow

  • Roadtests are one of the most interesting program from element14. I joined Element14 when I was doing my masters studies in 2017 and found that the community had so many things even during that time.

    My first roadtest was about Infineon IoT sensors box which angle sensor, temprature and pressure sensor and a development board in Arduino form factor from their XMC series. It was really cool at that time to do the roadtest of such products. I gained quite some practical experience by working on those devices. My latest roadtest was of Nordic Semiconductor Thingy:53 development platform.

    So far I have got chance to roadtest Raspberry Pi products, development boards with different vendor SoCs and microcontrollers, test and measurement tools, etc. It's so nice that element14 covers range of products and tools. For example, element14 also covers mechanical tools also to roadtest, i.e. screwdriver set, drills etc. By far, I have seen so many good roadtest being published by engineers in different domains.

    Specifically speaking if you are more like a maker, hobbyist who like to use hardware and software together to create some application projects like for example smart home or IoT space you will find so many good roadtests.

    I myself trying to improve my hardware sideStuck out tongue winking eye.(I sometimes regret not doing engineering in machatronics but I am fine with embedded systems for now)

  • Roadtest is beneficial to all, upon condition that Roadtester do responsible  job. Otherwise, it is waste of time to others.

  • Hi everyone,

    A friend told me about this program, I decided to join and I have been selected for a RoadTest! I will do my best and try to participate several times!