https://knmcguire.github.io/ en Thu, 07 May 2026 18:55:16 -0000 Thu, 07 May 2026 18:55:16 -0000 1440 MkDocs RSS plugin - v1.17.4 None https://knmcguire.github.io/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="freelancing_1year.md"><img alt="" src="images/kim_aichallenge.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>A full year into freelancing, and yep, we're officially doing this for real now. In this post, I'm sharing what changed after setting up my company, what projects and open-source things are currently on my plate, and what I'm still learning the hard way about balancing contracts, content, travel, and my sanity.</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2026/05/07/one-year-of-freelancing-i-guess-were-doing-this-for-real-now/ Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2026/05/07/one-year-of-freelancing-i-guess-were-doing-this-for-real-now/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="roboticist_to_the_doctor.md"><img alt="" src="images/science_museum_medical.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>This is probably the fastest I've ever written a blogpost. First the news of Catherine O'Hara dying from complications of rectal cancer, and then just a few moments ago... James Van Der Beek didn't survive his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis from 2023, the same year I got diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer. However, in this blogpost I'd like to highlight how glad I was for some of the moments I got because of that diagnosis, and a lot of it also had to do with my background as a roboticist.</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2026/02/12/a-robotics-engineer-goes-to-the-doctor/ Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2026/02/12/a-robotics-engineer-goes-to-the-doctor/ Kimberly McGuire <p><a href="robot_arm_part1.md"><img alt="" src="images/robotarm_cat.jpg">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>It is always good to be reminded of how hard robotics can be! I got a taste of that again when I worked with the SO-100 this summer and the last few months. But I had a lot of fun building it at least!</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/11/17/robot-arm/ Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/11/17/robot-arm/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="freelancing_6months.md"><img alt="" src="images/robot_arm_puzzle.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>Six months into my freelancing journey, and I'm still getting more questions about being self-employed than about my actual robotics work! From navigating intermediary companies to managing anxiety, from streaming experiments to juggling multiple assignments. Here are the honest lessons I've learned so far. Spoiler: Past Kimberly was perhaps a bit too ambitious with those talk applications...</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/10/12/six-months-down-the-freelancing-road/ Sun, 12 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/10/12/six-months-down-the-freelancing-road/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="ros2_across_the_windowverse.md"><img alt="image" src="images/win_gz_ros2_teleop_wsl2_rqtrviz2.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>Three months ago, I went head-first into full-on Windows Development. Have I gone screaming mad already? Well... no, actually! I managed to establish a handy workflow between the ROS native Windows install and WSL2. This blog post shows the process of what I've set up.</em></p> <p><em>Enjoy!</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/06/02/ros-2-across-the-windows-verse/ Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/06/02/ros-2-across-the-windows-verse/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="simulation_landscape.md"><img alt="image" src="images/best-of-robot-sim.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>In this blog post, I explain how I tried to figure out in which simulator I should invest some of my project development time. Little did I know of the very deep rabbit hole that presented itself, and I dived right in! Did it help me with my choice? A little, but perhaps I've created something that is even more useful: a best-of-list of robot simulators.</em></p> <p><em>Enjoy!</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/04/17/navigating-through-the-robotic-simulation-landscape/ Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/04/17/navigating-through-the-robotic-simulation-landscape/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="robbie_sim2real.md"><img alt="Robbie in simulation" src="images/robbie_sim2real_lowres.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>This is on me... I didn't prepare Robbie enough that we will be testing in simulation today, so usually have to clear out some suspicion first. Gotta look at a simulator with higher fidelity and better physics.</em> </p> <p><em>Enjoy!</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/04/13/robbie-rambot-the-sim2real-gap/ Sun, 13 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/04/13/robbie-rambot-the-sim2real-gap/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="going_solo.md"><img alt="image" src="/images/new-office.jpeg">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>Hi! I've taken a couple of months off for a career break, but I'm finally ready for the next step... to start working for myself! Yes, you heard me correctly, I'm going to be self-employed :smile:! After talking to a couple of people who are already freelancing in the robotics, I'm pretty convinced that I want to go in this direction. So here's a blog post to explain a bit of my reasoning, my updated portfolio, and the kind of assignments I'll be looking for.</em></p> <p><em>Enjoy!</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/04/10/flying-solo---the-start-of-my-robotics-freelancing-career/ Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/04/10/flying-solo---the-start-of-my-robotics-freelancing-career/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="robbie_dog.md"><img alt="robbie as a dog" src="images/robbie_dog_lowres.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>At the European Robotics Forum they kept on talking about a humanoid robotic development strategy, but how about their companions huh!? They need some love and attention too!</em> </p> <p><em>Enjoy!</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/04/06/robbie-rambot-still-not-an-humanoid/ Sun, 06 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/04/06/robbie-rambot-still-not-an-humanoid/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="robbie_exploration.md"><img alt="Robbie rambot comic" src="images/robbie_exploration_lowres.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>A Robbie dedicated to colorectal cancer awareness months and my <a href="https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/29/when-the-doctor-stops-smiling/">latest blogpost</a>. There is still robotics that can be actually do potentially good!</em> </p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/30/robbie-rambot-goes-exploring/ Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/30/robbie-rambot-goes-exploring/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="when_the_doctor_stops_smiling.md"><img alt="" src="images/drawing-intestines.jpg">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>It's the end of colorectal awareness month of March 2025. Almost 2 years ago, I got diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer at just 33 years old. I've luckily (so far) seemed to have responded well on treatment, but since then I want to make you all aware. Early onset colorectal cancer is more and more common these days, and I had no idea. So here the story of me getting the first result at my colonoscopy, that I wished I read myself dealing with those initial symptoms. There are some details in there but it shouldn't be too TMI, but the subject might be tough.</em> </p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/29/when-the-doctor-stops-smiling/ Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/29/when-the-doctor-stops-smiling/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="robbie_firewall.md"><img alt="Robbie rambot comic" src="images/robbie_firewall_lowres.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>Although robotics on Windows gets a bit easier, there is just one thing that is tough to get around on... and that's the firewall!</em> </p> <p><em>Enjoy!</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/23/robbie-rambot-being-ignored/ Sun, 23 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/23/robbie-rambot-being-ignored/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="robbie_coordinate_systems.md"><img alt="robbie rambot comic" src="images/robbie_coordinate_systems_lowres.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>This happens so many times! I think my prototype robot is using the camera coordinate system again... or am I wrong?</em> </p> <p><em>Enjoy!</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/16/robbie-rambot-mixing-coordinate-systems/ Sun, 16 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/16/robbie-rambot-mixing-coordinate-systems/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="windows_with_robotics.md"><img alt="" src="images/wslwinros.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>Yes, I am a little bit mad. Why the hell do I torture myself to get development to work on Windows... well, I tried to trace back the journey for robotics development, where I desperately tried to hang on to Windows, but had to settle for a dual boot, only to slowly return to give development on Windows a chance again.</em></p> <p><em>Enjoy! (I hope :wink:)</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/14/robotics-on-windows-are-you-mad/ Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/14/robotics-on-windows-are-you-mad/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="robbie_not_humanoid.md"><img alt="Robbie rambot comic" src="images/robbie_reveals_lowres.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>As a robotics developer I feel that now there is an unrealistic image of robots that must be met by modern society. Mobile robots are robots too!</em> </p> <p><em>Enjoy!</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/09/robbie-not-a-humanoid/ Sun, 09 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/09/robbie-not-a-humanoid/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p>s</p> <p><a href="robbie_connections.md"><img alt="robbie rambot comic" src="images/robbie_connections_lowres.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>I've implemented a new protocol with Robbie and his twin. Took longer longer as it also depends on emotional spark...</em> </p> <p><em>Enjoy!</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/01/robbie-making-connections/ Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/03/01/robbie-making-connections/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="mirte_part_1.md"><img alt="mirte robot" src="images/mirte_done.jpg">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>I've spent some days building the low-cost open-source educational robot developed by TU Delft! Here is a short blog post describing that experience and some ideas and plans for projects I could possibly do with it. It's an awesome platform.</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/02/25/building-mirte-open-source-robot-from-tu-delft/ Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/02/25/building-mirte-open-source-robot-from-tu-delft/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="robbie_embodied_AI.md"><img alt="robbie as a dog" src="images/robbie_embodied_AI_lowres.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>So it seems that Robbie is the embodied version of artificial intelligence, although it still needs some work to truely get there.</em> </p> <p><em>Enjoy!</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/02/23/robbie-embodied-ai/ Sun, 23 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/02/23/robbie-embodied-ai/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="robbie_loop_closure.md"><img alt="Robbie rambot comic" src="images/robbie_loopclosure_lowres.png">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>So I've started with this webcomic that originated form the FOSDEM Robotics and Simulation mascotte Robbie (bitcraze wrote a <a href="https://www.bitcraze.io/2025/02/fosdem-25/">blogpost</a> about this event with a picture). I will have a more indepth blogpost coming up about this journey, but first...meet Robbie!</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/02/16/robbie-fails-in-loopclosure/ Sun, 16 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/02/16/robbie-fails-in-loopclosure/ Kimberly McGuire <script data-goatcounter="https://knmcguire.goatcounter.com/count" async src="//gc.zgo.at/count.js"></script> <p><a href="first_blogpost.md"><img alt="robbie rambot comic" src="images/kim-madrid.jpg">{width=100}</a></p> <p><em>Here is my first blogpost on my new website! It will be a little bit about me, about my professional live, and a bit how I build this website. (or maybe a lot who knows). Enjoy!</em></p> https://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/02/14/first-blogpost/ Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Kimberly McGuire's Websitehttps://knmcguire.github.io/blog/2025/02/14/first-blogpost/