We are thrilled to announce the incredible companies for our next cohort!
At just 19 years old, Owen Chaffin is already making waves in the world of engineering and robotics. Currently a sophomore majoring in Engineering Design with a Robotics Minor at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Owen's journey is nothing short of impressive. His passion for robotics and design has been evident since a young age, and his recent internship at EKTO VR has only deepened his expertise.
During his summer internship at EKTO VR, Owen worked as a Design Engineering Intern, contributing to a variety of mechanical and analytical projects. His work involved R&D projects towards the next generation product, including exploring power transfer and user experience tradeoffs, and helping to launch EKTO Academy’s Future Tech Leaders Summer Camp. Owen’s favorite part of his internship was the opportunity to immerse himself in the design process, iterating on prototypes and gaining hands-on experience with real-world projects.
One of Owen's standout memories from his time at EKTO VR was prototyping new designs and collaborating closely with the team. The iterative process of refining prototypes and learning from feedback was a highlight of his experience.
Owen’s journey into robotics and design was significantly shaped by his involvement in Startable, a program of Innovation Works. Starting in the summer after his 9th grade year, Owen participated in Startable’s entrepreneurship program, where he developed two concepts: Swap, a customizable tool kit that secured second place, and Liquid Level, an adaptive cup holder that won first place.
This experience ignited Owen’s passion for combining technical and entrepreneurial skills, leading him to pursue a career in engineering design. The Startable program not only helped him hone his technical skills but also inspired him to explore how to turn innovative ideas into successful products.
Brad Factor, Founder and CEO of EKTO VR, shared insights into the benefits of having Startable alumni like Owen on their team. According to Brad, Startable alumni bring a valuable mix of technical expertise and entrepreneurial thinking, which is crucial for startups like EKTO VR. Owen's background in robotics and his experience with Startable’s program allowed him to contribute effectively to EKTO VR’s projects, bridging the gap between technical development and user experience.
Brad emphasized the importance of integrating interns into meaningful projects, ensuring they gain genuine experience while contributing to the company's goals. This approach helps interns learn and grow, while also bringing fresh perspectives to the team.
For teens considering internships or programs like Startable, Owen’s advice is clear: Dive in regardless of your current experience level. Whether you’re new to engineering and entrepreneurship or looking to build on existing interests, programs like Startable provide a valuable introduction and can help you discover or deepen your passion for these fields.
When he’s not immersed in robotics or design work, Owen enjoys mountain biking and various forms of fabrication, including welding and blacksmithing. His hands-on approach to learning and creating is evident in both his academic and personal pursuits.
Owen’s journey from a high school student to a promising intern at EKTO VR exemplifies the power of early exposure to robotics and entrepreneurship. His story, along with insights from Brad, highlights the importance of immersive learning experiences and the value of programs like Startable in shaping the next generation of innovators.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that the intersection of education, hands-on experience, and mentorship is key to nurturing young talents like Owen. For aspiring engineers and entrepreneurs, there are exciting opportunities ahead—be sure to seize them and make the most of every experience. Feel free to connect with Owen and EKTO VR to learn more about their inspiring work and opportunities in the field of robotics and design. You can view Owen’s portfolio by clicking here. Learn more about EKTO VR here and EKTO Academy’s offerings for middle and high school students here.
EKTO VR is fulfilling the sci-fi promise of VR, starting with our Voyager Boots. They actively maintain the user’s position near the center of the room as they walk freely, intuitively expanding the virtual world, deepening immersion, and mitigating cybersickness - a key barrier for >40% of potential users. Over 500 people have used and loved our boots, and it’s the only locomotion system to score Excellent for usability by Johns Hopkins APL researchers. We’ve built all of this on a fraction of what most would need and are excited to meet the demand of the rising consumer VR market. Learn more about EKTO VR here.
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