Episode 11: Jack Haworth
Summary
In this final episode, host Trevor Cox interviews Jack Howarth, an engineer developing robots like Mirax and CARMA for hazardous nuclear decommissioning at Sellafield. Poet Katrina Porteous shares her work, which explores themes of control, collaboration, and the intersection of engineering and nature. The episode highlights Howarth’s unconventional apprenticeship path and the vital role of teamwork in solving complex technical challenges.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Inventive and guest Jack Howarth
Themes of control, collaboration, and arts vs sciences
Poet Katrina Nannestad discusses her creative process
Jack's journey from business student to electrical engineer
Apprenticeship benefits and learning 3D CAD
The Inventive format: mixing fact with fiction
Overview of KAMA and Mirax robots for nuclear sites
Teamwork in engineering and testing robot kinematics
Nuclear decommissioning and public perception of safety
LiDAR technology and mapping radiation hotspots
Mirax robot design and navigating radioactive cells
Collaboration between engineers and skilled tradespeople
Creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving in engineering
Robotics applications in space and industry
Advice for young people: it's never too late to change
The importance of effort and overcoming self-doubt
Robots, AI, and the future of work and autonomy
Engineering as a universal problem-solving skill
Nature, evolution, and the human role in engineering
Series conclusion and credits
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