Kelvin Gao
Palette

Independent robotics & engineering

Machines built to move, sense, and solve.

I design and build ambitious hardware projects—from an eight-legged robot spider to autonomous systems. Explore the work or partner on what comes next.

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Isometric technical illustration of an eight-legged robot spider01 / MECHANICAL SYSTEM02 / CONTROL STACK
Project 01·Robot Spider·In development

Selected work / 01—04

Projects built from first principles.

Each project combines physical design, electronics, and software into a system that can be tested in the real world.

01
In development

Robot Spider

An eight-legged robotics platform exploring gait control, mechanical linkage design, and sensor-led autonomy.

  • Mechanics
  • Embedded
  • Control
02
System design

Cooperative Drone Swarm

A modular multi-drone platform designed around mesh communications, adaptable missions, and specialist payloads.

  • Mesh networking
  • Autonomy
  • PX4
03
Prototype planning

Smart Chessboard

An instrumented chessboard that detects piece positions and moves them with a compact XY gantry.

  • Sensing
  • Motion
  • Interface
04
In development

XY Motion System

A repurposed 3D-printer motion platform controlled through a browser for precise coordinate moves.

  • Motion control
  • Web UI
  • Fabrication

About / approach

Hardware is where software decisions become physical consequences.

I'm Kelvin, an independent builder focused on robotics, embedded systems, and machines that sense and move.

My work starts with a clear system problem, then moves through low-cost prototypes, testable subsystems, and documented iteration. The goal is not just a striking demo—it is a platform that can keep improving.

  1. 01
    Define

    Turn an ambitious idea into measurable system requirements.

  2. 02
    Prototype

    Build the smallest physical version that answers a real question.

  3. 03
    Test

    Use evidence from hardware to guide the next iteration.

Partnership / support

Help move a project from prototype to field test.

01

Visible engineering

Support is connected to a tangible project with clear milestones, build notes, and test outcomes.

02

Practical collaboration

Component, fabrication, technical, and financial partnerships can each unlock a specific next step.

03

Long-term platforms

The projects are designed as modular systems that can support further experiments, payloads, and demonstrations.

Contact / collaboration

Have a component, capability, or idea that could move the work forward?

contact@kelvingao.com