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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 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!

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

  • 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

      

  • 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.