Telos Engineering

Personal explorations of science and technology by Matt Howes

  • Diving

    Diving

    Manta rays off the coast of Komodo Island (Indonesia). The current is very fast, so we’re holding on to the bottom and the rays are swimming against the current. 

  • Using 3D for Better Data Exploration

    Using 3D for Better Data Exploration

    Data visualization is always about evolving new ideas and taking advantage of new technologies.  Tableau, PowerBI and other tools are great for some types of data visualization, but I wanted to better visualize multi-dimensional data. Using some Javascript libraries, I built a quick tool to parse and view “many-to-many” datasets and show them in three…

  • Productivity and Organization

    Productivity and Organization

    As I’ve accumulated tools and parts, my workshop has grown more complex.  Having a well-designed workspace is an interesting intellectual challenge, and I’ve enjoyed evolving my workshop to handle diverse projects.    This is the current iteration:  In fine cooking, there is a concept of “mise en place” where the chef assembles the ingredients beforehand and thinks…

  • Beekeeping and Technology

    Beekeeping and Technology

    I was very fortunate to assist a beekeeper when I was living in New York. There was even an article about our endeavors:  http://www.livescience.com/38198-urban-beekeeping-takes-flight.html Since they’re social insects, bees are very interesting to me. They follow algorithms very strictly, and if you know the rules you will be able to work with them very well….

  • Kite Aerial Photography

    Kite Aerial Photography

    I’ve also mounted a GoPro system on special rigging that hangs from a kite. The camera rig has a transmitter and servos, so I’m able to watch video through a small screen on the ground, and also change directions. There are various pro/cons compared with mounting the camera on a RC plane: Pro:  Con: Here’s the…

  • Recommended Reading

    Recommended Reading

    Data Science:   Hiring: Productivity: Product Management Management, Leadership, and Culture: