My first day at the Drones and Autonomous Vehicle Systems Lab (DASL) was exciting. Before our official meeting, I visited the lab, where Mr. Zahir, the lab manager and one of the PhD students , gave us a tour and introduced us to the ongoing projects. The atmosphere and culture in the lab were very different from the labs I had experienced back in Pune, India.

During our first meeting with Dr. Paul Oh and the rest of the lab members, My fellow newcomers, Sumant, a final-year mechanical engineering student, and Swarangi, a third-year instrumentation student, seemed more familiar with the technical aspects. As a second-year mechanical engineering student, I felt a bit out of place and worried that I might not get a project to work on. However, Dr. Oh asked us which project we were interested in among the three available: Gasoline delivery through octacopters, F1 autonomous racing car, and Cable-Driven Parallel Robots (CDPR). I chose CDPR because it genuinely interested me.

After the lab meeting, Ms. Koreen introduced us to the basics of drone flight, which was genuinely exciting and interesting. She started by teaching us how to fly drones in a simple square pattern, guiding us through each step with patience and expertise. As the drone responded to our controls, I felt a rush of excitement—seeing it glide smoothly through the air in precise lines was satisfying. This hands-on experience with drone flight was a thrill, making me eager to learn more and improve my skills in the coming sessions.

The very next day, I received a message from Mr. Zahir, who was going to guide me through the CDPR project. He wanted to discuss some terminologies and concepts related to CDPR, and I was overjoyed. This was the start of my journey at DASL, and I couldn't have been more excited.

For the next two days, I immersed myself in learning about CDPR. I familiarized myself with key terminologies like end effector, vector joints, motors, wrench feasible workspace, and kinematics. I also went through various research papers, including:

• A Review on Cable-Driven Parallel Robots
• Control-Based Tension Distribution Scheme for Fully Constrained Cable-Driven Robots
• An Overview of Cable-Driven Parallel Robots: Workspace, Tension Distribution, and Cable Sagging
• Motor Theory
• A novel design for fully constrained planar Cable-Driven Parallel Robots to increase their wrench-feasible workspace
• Development of a Planar Cable Parallel Robot for Practical Application in the Educational Process

In addition to learning the theory, I also worked on designing the end effector for the CDPR. I used Fusion 360 for the design and got it 3D printed, which was my first time creating a 3D-printed prototype. The moment I held that prototype in my hands, I was filled with a sense of accomplishment and pride. I couldn't help but miss my parents, wishing they could share in this happiness with me.

During the week, I also had the opportunity to meet Mr. Tanseen Chaudhari, the CEO of Fluid Controls. His humility and approachability left a lasting impression on me. This encounter reminded me of the importance of networking and stepping out of my comfort zone to meet people outside of my usual circle.

One of the most striking differences I noticed between DASL and the labs I had seen in India was the approach to problem-solving and collaboration. Each and every person in the lab helped me whenever I asked for help. Even if they are perfectionist in their work and had an incomparable experience than me ,they are very much grounded ! Lot to learn form them !

This first week at DASL taught me a lot about myself. I realized that stepping into a new environment can be intimidating, but it's also an opportunity for growth. I learned to welcome the unknown, ask questions, and trust in my ability to learn and contribute.

By the end of the week, I had not only made significant progress on the CDPR project but also acquired new skills in 3D modeling, kinematics, and motor theory. The journey ahead is challenging, but I am eager to continue learning and contributing to the lab's projects.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of DASL and look forward to what the coming weeks will bring.