Sep 2006

Things are now in full swing: A class project is due soon, I have officially started a masters thesis, Formula student is rolling, and the weather just got crappy. Before I moan about that stuff, here is me canoeing:

There is a lake near my place so I rented a canoe two weeks ago with a bunch of other international students. There were lots of little islands to explore. I named the smallest grassy one Nap Island and that is what we did there.

Here is another random building near my apartment

I Don't know why I like it, I just do.

I have a Masters thesis now. It not with a company but instead with a professor at the university. Here is the preliminary description:

Master's Thesis –Robotic Vehicle Control with Application to ESP Testing
The current stability systems used in cars are built using proprietary specifications for vehicle response. To compare the performance of different vehicles requires a system that can measure the vehicle dynamics under specific conditions and then reverse engineer the vehicle control specifications. The objective of this Master's thesis is to first develop a system that can reproduce the same test conditions in different vehicles in a repeatable manner. Specific topics to be addressed:

1) Assess the current state of the art for testing electronic stability systems
2) Identify the types of vehicle maneuvers that will allow stability programs to be analyzed
3) Develop a mechanical system that can steer, brake, and control vehicle speed independent of the driver
4) Collect vehicle data using the system and test maneuvers listed in 2) and 3)
5) Preliminary analysis of data and identify steps needed for a complete assessment procedure.

I am currently doing some background research on the subject and discussing the details with the professor. I have my own Saab to work with which is cool. It will be the biggest remote control car I have ever played with

As part of my masters degree program, I must be part of a project team. Once again I am on the Formula Student team. Instead of designing part of the car, I am one of two people in the communication subgroup. We will deal with all the related paperwork, sponsors, PR, marketing, and general organization. I am actually looking forward to it because this has been a problematic area for many teams. I am also an advisor to the suspension and unsprung mass group. The Chalmers 2006 formula student car is one of the fastest in the world! Hopefully we can do even better!

Last weekend I went to Stockholm for an AIESEC conference. It is a student organization that helps students find jobs in other countries. I drove a new Volvo V70 300 miles accross Sweden to get there. Driving in Stockholm was fun. I guess I scared/impressed some people with my "San Francisco" style of driving. They are not used to big city driving in Sweden.

Here is a picture of the front door of the Handel University of Economics in Stockholm where the conference was. Its very old and the door is super cool! You actually go in and out this way.

The weather has finally turned gloomy here. It is not expected to get better. I guess I will have to buy an umbrella and a good jacket. Two things I normally don't need at home.

Time for some Swedish flash cards and then it's bedtime.

God Natt från Sverige

Back by popular demand in Sweden...The Sun! It has been sunny and warm here the past few days so I got a chance to do a little exploring.

The coast of Sweden is littered with thousands of rocky islands. Many people live on these islands or at least have summer homes on them. I took a day trip with some other international students to the islands closest to Gothenburg. These islands are unique in that there are no cars. All the roads are narrow and people get around on bikes or these cool motorcycles/tricycles.

Here is one of the many small island harbors.

I like this garden fountain. Heavenly.

This house is a common example. Bright colors, green yard, and chairs out front.

Here are a couple of the people I went with: James from Cal Poly and Ian from Queens University in Belfast. Mmmmmm lunch.

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Since the weekend sun continued into the week I took some more pictures of where I live.

Here is my building.

Exciting, I know. Notice all the bikes. It is rare for a student to have a car here. People of all ages ride bikes. They ACTUALLY obey all trafic laws too. Crazy!

Here is my living room, AKA the only room I have.

Notice the blankets/furniture covers. The sandpaper blankets that came with my apartment are just slightly softer than the steel wool couches. I know the walls are blank, I am working on it.

Here is my office/kitchen/bedroom.

Around the corner to the left is a minifridge, two burner stove, minioven and tiny sink. This place is actually really big for a student apartment. Other people have only enough room for a bed and desk.

Since I am on the topic of buildings, here are some more buildings on campus that I like:

I almost forgot. One perk of where I live is the park I cross to get to school. Here is the path I walk every morning.

I talked to a professor today about possible masters thesis work. Looks like I might be developing a remote controlled SAAB...

This is my first contact with the outside world since I first landed here in Göteborg Sweden on August 22nd. In an effort to keep my fan club updated on my latest adventures I will try and add to this blog frequently. I am not one for wordy entries so my blogs will be mostly pictures.

Before I talk about Sweden check this out:

It's an ipod vending machine at San Francisco International airport. No Joke! This thing was full of every ipod product and accessory. Right next to it was the cell phone vending machine. There was even a line of asian tourists waiting to use the machines.

After flying through London and getting super searched I landed in Sweden. Raining! How fitting. I remember it as a rainy place and the memories came flooding back.

I spent my first 8 days in Sweden sleeping on my friend Mattias' floor while I looked for my own place. The university finds housing for exchange students but not masters students. Crap! After numerous, emails, calls, and appartment visits I still had nothing. I went to the offices of a housing management company and asked for help. They said use their webpage. I said it's no help and continued to give them my sob story until they offered me an appartment right on the spot! I now have a furnished studio appartment near the university with all utilities included for $540 a month. Most Swedish students don't believe I live in this building because the waiting list on the internet is around 3 years. I just got lucky I guess. A huge perk of this building is the pool on the first floor and the bar on the second. The best part is the bucket on a pulley between the bar and the pool. Hoist money to the bar, down comes beer! I'll get some picture of the setup later.

About the title: I have been sick for the majority of my time here. I am finally getting over a bad cold. Many international students are sick right now. Damn Swedish germs!

Ok, too much typing, back to the pictures.

Here is the view south from my balcony. Typical Swedish countryside. I am one mile from school and about 3 miles from downtown.

Here is the view north from my roof. This neighborhood is mostly students.

Classes have just started and should be good. I am currently talking to numerous professors about possible masters thesis work. I will hopefully have the masters degree in automotive engineering by June.

Here is popular lunch spot on campus. The building in the background is a restaurant. Much better food than anything on the calpoly campus.

The buildings on campus and all over the country for that matter are very cool to me. Sweden is very modern and stylish in every aspect. Check out the electrical engineering building.

Glass is heavily used in Sweden. I am guessing because of the limited light for the majority of the year. People here rairly have hats or sunglasses on, even on sunny days.

I hope this guy is not serious.
Bikes are very expensive in Sweden.

There has been no shortage of social events in the past couple weeks. I have been meeting tons of people daily. So far I have been hanging out with mostly people from english speaking countries. There are a few Americans, English, Irish, and Australians. We have a great time making fun of everyone else. They make fun of us too. Even the mayor gave a speech last night and made a crack about Americans. It's all in good fun.

I will post more pictues of where I live and who I hang out with soon.

Until then...

skål (Swedish for Cheers if you couldn't guess)