Robin Janoušek, a high school student from Nový PORG Prague, spent his summer immersed in hands-on robotics and technical design projects as an intern at the RICAIP Testbed Prague at CIIRC CTU, working under the guidance of Tomáš Jochman’s team. Robin brought both skill and curiosity to our team, effectively tackling complex challenges and sharing his ideas. It’s a pleasure to have young talents like him on board, and we hope this opportunity has provided him with valuable insights and skills to support his academic journey and aspirations of studying abroad.
Robin’s summer at the RICAIP Testbed Prague at CIIRC CTU wasn’t just about observing – he dove headfirst into impactful projects, from assisting on a vision-guided robotic cell to creatively rethinking assistive technology for physiotherapy. With a proactive approach, he quickly became a valuable part of the team, tackling real responsibilities in CAD modeling, 3D visualization, and camera integration, gaining a deeper understanding of both technical processes and collaborative workflows.
What Was Robin’s Experience Like at the RICAIP Testbed Prague?
Could you describe your experience working within a team at CIIRC CTU, specifically at RICAIP Testbed Prague? How did you find collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds and countries?
It was amazing! Despite the diversity of nationalities and backgrounds, it felt like one big team working toward a shared goal. I loved learning how others approached projects differently, which sparked new ideas. Also, communicating in English really pushed me to expand my technical vocabulary, something I noticed I was lacking and could only improve by collaborating with others. That’s something I know will be incredibly useful for my future studies, especially if I end up at a U.S. university, which I really hope to. It was a fantastic way to grow both personally and professionally.
How were you able to apply the knowledge you gained in high school to the practical challenges you faced during your internship, especially in CAD design and robotic systems?
Honestly, while I didn’t use much of the exact knowledge from high school (like CAD modeling), my experience in robotics provided a solid foundation. A lot of the technical skills I used during my internship were built on the spot at RICAIP Testbed Prague. What really helped from high school were the broader, transferable skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. My math and physics background also gave me strong 3D visualization skills, which were invaluable when tackling complex designs. I approached problems with a systematic mindset, and being open to feedback really allowed me to improve and make meaningful contributions to the team.
The best part was learning from older, more experienced professionals who provided insights I probably wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.”
As the youngest intern at the team of RICAIP Testbed Prague at CIIRC CTU, how did you perceive the atmosphere? Were there any particular challenges or advantages?
Being the youngest intern actually felt quite positive. The age difference mainly stood out when we were sharing stories – my colleagues had college and life experiences, while I am still in high school. But that just made things more interesting. I never felt left out. In fact, it was fascinating to hear different perspectives, which helped me mature quickly. The best part was learning from older, more experienced professionals who provided insights I probably wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.
In developing the camera vision-guided robotic system and other projects, to what extent were you given the freedom to contribute your ideas and make decisions?
When working on the vision-guided robotic cell, I mostly jumped in wherever I could to help with the workload, given the tight timeline. I felt that focusing on the essential and urgent tasks was more effective than trying to do something extra at that moment. However, in other projects, like assistive technology for physiotherapists, I had much more creative freedom. I was able to take initiative and experiment with ideas, especially in the massage robot system design and camera implementation. It felt good to work independently and then bring those ideas to the team for feedback. The trust and collaboration made me feel confident in contributing.
RICAIP Testbed Prague encourages you to dive in, get your hands dirty (safely, of course), and learn from the process.
Based on your experiences, would you recommend this internship to other students interested in robotics and mechanical design? Why or why not?
Absolutely! This internship is ideal for anyone interested in robotics or mechanical design. The hands-on experience (whether you’re working with 3D printing, vision-guided robots, or massage robots) is on a completely different level compared to what you get in school. RICAIP Testbed Prague at CIIRC CTU encourages you to dive in, get your hands dirty (safely, of course), and learn from the process. You also get to try out a variety of fields from 3D modeling and programming to AR/VR, and even assisting with professional articles. Plus, the team is full of talented, experienced people who are always willing to help. It’s the perfect place to grow and learn. And even if you don’t get to go to the conferences, the stories they bring back are usually just as inspiring.
How has this internship shaped your thoughts about your future studies and the specific areas within robotics or mechanical design you might want to focus on?
This internship has really shaped how I view my future studies. I’ve always loved 3D CAD modeling, but working on assistive technology for physiotherapists opened my eyes to how engineering can make a real difference in people’s lives. I now see mechanical engineering as a way not just to solve technical problems but to create innovations that improve the well-being of others. This shift in perspective is something I definitely want to pursue further in my studies and future career.
Reflecting on your entire experience, including your work with Intel RealSense RGBD cameras and assistive robotic technologies, how do you think these experiences will benefit your academic and professional career going forward?
These experiences have been invaluable. Working with cutting-edge technology deepened my understanding of robotics and mechanical design. I’ve gained a lot of confidence in my skills, and more importantly, I’ve learned the value of collaboration and communication within a multidisciplinary team. Seeing the impact of our work, especially in projects aimed at improving people’s lives, reaffirmed why I love engineering and my decision to pursue it further and excel. I feel like I’m leaving with a strong foundation that will support me in both my studies and future projects. I’m more ready than ever to take on new challenges!
Written and photographed by Tereza Pospíšilová for RICAIP Testbed Prague