How many African youth are into building and creating hardware? In a continent where majority if not all of the countries import safety pins and match boxes, this is indeed a rare opportunity. Solomon King is a true African gem. He has devoted his youth to building robotics and teaching students how to use them in learning Sciences in class. Buying various parts and assembling with a team of programmers, this obviously is an expensive venture, but Solomon King who also teaches kids on robotics is more than determined to make a difference in the lives of these children. Youthhubafrica’s Ruth Aine Tindyebwa caught up with Solomon for a quick interview. Find excerpts below:
Q: When did you realize that working with robotics was your passion?
A: I think I was I was six when I first fell in love with robots. It was a random movie called “The Black Hole” and had these robots called V.I.N.CENT and Maximillian. I was in awe, and spellbound. I next fell in love with robots while watching “Short Circuit”. I think I was nine at the time. There was this cute robot called Johnny 5 that somehow became alive when lightning struck it.
Before that though, when I was around five or six years old, I had a thing for dumpster-diving; looking for old electronics components to find what I could salvage and experiment with.
Q: Were you a Sciences student in your high school?
A: Yes, I did Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Fine Art.
Q: I call this kind of work: creating. What inspires you to do this?
A: Well, you’ve kind of answered the question. I love to create and build things. Whether it’s a product or a company or a robot. I love using my hands to bring something to life. However what inspires me to work with electronics is that I am fascinated by human-machine interaction, and I want to explore those processes to see how we can mold our interactions with the world and with each other into an easier and more positive experience.
Q: How many students so far have you worked with?
A: Wow. This is a tough question. I’d say we’ve worked with about 300 students in-depth. By in-depth I mean actual training sessions ranging from 1 day to 2 weeks. Our general outreach has reached thousands of students through presentations, demonstrations and talks on robotics.
Q: I know that you have received recognition for your work done: tell us about it.
A: We have received a lot of recognition, yes, but I think the biggest recognition we have received is from the students themselves and some teachers. It’s humbling to find out first hand that what you’re doing is relevant in someone’s life. Students have told us that our work has helped them understand classroom material better since they can now “see” the transistors, resistors, etc, instead of imagining them in action. That is truly humbling, especially when teachers confirm that their students are now more curious and overall, better scientists.
Globally, we have received recognition from organizations like: Google, who gave us a grant in 2012 to fund our activities; the BBC, who did a short profile on our work, also back in 2012; Voice of America, with whom we had an audio/radio style interview during the Nabisunsa Robotics camp in 2012. More recently, an independent photo-essay by Cyril Jazbec featuring Fundi Bots was run in Wired Magazine (UK). We’ve had interviews with The Observer, a local newspaper and brief coverage on one of the local TV stations during an Orange Expo a couple of years back. Currently, our largest funder is Oysters & Pearls, an independent American-based philanthropic organization that is helping with outreach in Northern Uganda, and working with us to expand around the country.
And then, of course, the hundreds of fans around the world who have encouraged and supported us through social media and financially.
Q: Any training in this field?
A: Absolutely none. The last time I sat in a classroom was during my first and only semester in University pursuing a Diploma in Science Technology. I dropped out before the semester ended and haven’t had any formal education since.
Q: Who is your greatest role model?
A: This is tough, but if I had to choose one person who I greatly admired, it would be Elon Musk. He is an outstanding business man, a brilliant innovator with insanely ambitious ideas that disrupt entire industries. And he is not afraid to walk the talk. Most importantly, he is right at the place I aspire to be: the intersection of design, business and technology.
Q: I believe that this is a passion: what would you want to say to youth around the world about following their passion and dream?
A: I should not be asked some questions, since my answers are always radical. But, I’ll make this simple: anything is possible. Dream big. Start small. Be diligent. Be respectful of your skill and other people’s time. Do not waste your time doing something you are not passionate about. Bootstrap the hell out of whatever you start, because you will likely not have the kind of money you need, but if you push hard enough, you will get there. And finally, read. Read like books are about to be banned.
Q: What have been your most heartwarming moments so far?
A: I’m a little too reserved to share my most heartwarming moments. However, I take a lot of pride in seeing people grow and learn, whether as part of our teams or as students learning to build robots. So the numerous times someone has shared with me the impact I’ve had on their lives, I have been both honored and humbled.
Q: Any challenges?
A: The challenges are far too many to list. Honestly, every day is a challenge. The day I decided to quit employment was the day I set myself up for chaos, so I am not kidding when I say I have had 11 years of ridiculous challenges. I look back sometimes and I find myself questioning why I chose the path I did.
And the answer is simple: because I love doing what I do, and there is no environment that is going to allow me to do that on my terms.
Q: How many members of staff do you work with?
A: My two businesses, Node Six and Elemental Edge employ about 20 people combined (the numbers vary because we have writers for some of our other brands like Proggie.ug). Fundi Bots, the non-profit works with more than 30 volunteers, interns and numerous support people.
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Am inspired by King. I hope other youths can learn from the determination of King
Solomon, I have followed your work and I have no doubt that not even the sky is the limit for you. The fact that you exude humility is the cherry on top.
God bless you and the work of your hands.
“read. Read like books are about to be banned.” This was the gem I loved the most. Started a business book club founded on the need for a reading culture in Africa and a platform to meet,learn and share from each other. So encourages and inspires to hear or read about someone preaching the same message. Lovely interview and inspiring story. God bless y’all.