Phantom Auto
Project: Reinventing Remote Operations at Phantom Auto
Project Overview
The Challenge:
To lead the evolution of Phantom Auto’s tele-operated warehouse equipment, enhancing its capabilities, streamlining production, and scaling the deployment of the fleet while ensuring cost efficiency and robustness.
The Process:
By interfacing with various teams within the company, from QA to hardware and software engineering, we set out to establish benchmarks, integrate new technologies, and improve manufacturing workflows.
Key Contributions and Achievements
System Improvements:
- Collaborated with the QA team to establish critical performance benchmarks, leading to system-wide enhancements in latency, reliability, and operator visibility.
- Played an integral role in software development efforts to adapt the system for ARM processors, which significantly reduced the hardware footprint and costs while increasing system performance.
Hardware Development:
- Worked closely with the hardware team to introduce and scale hardware revisions, ensuring each upgrade cycle met the rigorous demands of warehouse logistics.
- Spearheaded the design and implementation of major hardware improvements, from initial concept through to successful deployment.
Manufacturing and Efficiency:
- Improved in-house manufacturing line efficiency by developing robust documentation and conducting comprehensive training programs for staff.
- Transitioned the fleet from a single prototype to six fully operational units and two additional prototype vehicles through the streamlining of manufacturing processes.
Strategic Sourcing and Contracts:
- Negotiated critical contracts with third-party manufacturers, streamlining the supply chain and securing essential components and materials.
- Managed Bills of Materials (BoMs), Cost of Goods Sold (CoGS), inventory, and sourcing, demonstrating a keen ability to balance technical requirements with financial prudence.
Collaboration and Leadership:
- Established key international relationships to facilitate the scaling of manufacturing capabilities.
- Fostered a collaborative environment across cross-functional teams, ensuring cohesive project development and alignment with strategic objectives.
Impact
The project’s success was marked by a suite of enhanced vision systems, a reduction in costs, and a notable improvement in hardware reliability. By reengineering product subsystems, my leadership contributed to not only technological advancements but also to the significant scaling of the product fleet, positioning Phantom Auto at the forefront of the remote warehouse and logistics industry.