What if you could learn to build robots by actually building them?

That’s the whole idea behind Mechlabs’ hands-on training.

Mechlabs, an Oakland-based mechatronics education program, gets students involved in a project and takes them from there. The idea: experience, not theory, is how you learn to build robots!

And it’s OK to make mistakes. But don’t forget to have fun along the way–as Mechlabs Founder and Chief Operating Officer Dan O’Mara is teaching by example.

A passionate maker and entrepreneur, Dan is also the Founder and COO of electronic hardware co-working space Circuit Launch. And not only is Circuit Launch the home of Mechlabs–it’s also going to be the site of the Big Robot Block Party, happening this Saturday, April 8th in celebration of National Robotics Week and all things “robot”. (It’s free and you’re invited! Here are the details.)

Just in time for National Robotics Week, Dan shared the story of Circuit Launch and Mechlabs, explained how the program is evolving mechatronics education, and offered a closer look at some really cool robots!

• How Dan’s eclectic background and maker skills led him to robotics;
  

• The story of one of his maker “passion projects”, prior to his work in robotics;
  

• How Circuit Launch came into being;
  

• The story of the Mechlabs mechtronics education program;
  

• How Mechlabs’ program is filling a gap in the robotics industry;
  

• Two of Dan’s all-time favorite robots which his students created;
  

• How a student working remotely was able to learn and participate in the building process on one of these!:
  

• Some good “mistakes” that might encourage any beginners who might be afraid of “breaking something” (and how these errors are part of the learning process);
  

• A look at Dan’s own latest robotic project;
  

• The different types of education courses Mechlabs offers;
  

• A preview of the Big Robot Block Party;
  

• One of Dan’s favorite experiences from a previous Robot Block Party;
  

• Dan’s future vision for Circuit Launch and Mechlabs.