It’s been a busy couple of months, and I wanted to share what I’ve been pouring my time into. I’m juggling three major projects right now, each one pushing me in different ways — and I’ve never been more excited about where they’re all heading.
Portland Bird ID App
If you read my last post, you already know about the Bird ID app I’m building. Since then, I’ve been making steady progress. I have over 2,200 audio recordings across 30 Pacific Northwest species, and I’m currently indexing my photo library — roughly 100,000 images shot right here in Portland — to build the training dataset for the visual identification model.
The app uses machine learning (TensorFlow and MobileNet) to identify birds by photo or by sound. What makes it different from global apps is that it’s trained exclusively on Pacific Northwest birds — our regional subspecies, our local calls and dialects. A Dark-eyed Junco in Portland looks and sounds different from one on the East Coast, and this app will know the difference.
I’m planning to launch it as a Progressive Web App first, so anyone with a phone can try it out right from their browser, and then wrap it for the App Store and Google Play once the beta is solid.
Preparing for OMSI
I was a featured inventor at the OMSI Science Fair twice growing up, and I’m heading back — this time with a couple of interactive exhibits that combine everything I’ve been building.
First, I’m turning the Bird Match game from this site into an arcade-style kiosk. Think big colorful buttons, sound effects, and a hands-on experience where kids (and adults) can test their bird identification skills. I built something similar before with an ESP32 controller and custom arcade buttons, and this next version will be even better.
Second — and this is the big one — I’m building an earthquake simulation exhibit. A working shake table that demonstrates how buildings respond to seismic waves, complete with a custom control console, joystick station for visitors, and a JBL speaker system that brings the rumble to life. The control panel has an ergonomic design with a TFT display, LED push buttons, and potentiometers for visitors to control the speed and intensity of the quake. It’s designed to be both educational and visceral — you’ll feel the power of an earthquake and see in real time how buildings can be protected.
StabilityCore — A New Company
This is the project that keeps me up at night — in the best way possible. I’m launching a company called StabilityCore, focused on seismic isolation technology. The idea is straightforward but the engineering is anything but: build a system that can protect buildings from earthquake damage using active stabilization.
Traditional seismic isolation uses passive systems — rubber bearings and springs that absorb energy. What I’m developing goes further. StabilityCore’s system combines passive spring isolation with PID-controlled actuators that actively counteract seismic motion in real time. Think of it as the difference between shock absorbers and active suspension — both help, but active control can respond to what’s actually happening and adjust instantly.
I’m currently building a 1/25 scale prototype to prove the concept. High-torque servo motors, precision belt drives, custom HDPE panels, and an ESP32 running the control algorithm. The prototype will sit on the shake table I mentioned above — the same one going to OMSI — so I can demonstrate the difference between a building that’s isolated and one that isn’t, side by side.
The technical challenges ahead are significant. Getting PID tuning right for seismic frequencies, achieving sub-millisecond response times, managing the forces at full scale — these are hard problems. But the potential impact is enormous. Seismic isolation could save lives, protect property, and make the housing market stronger in earthquake-prone regions. Imagine if every new building in Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, or Tokyo could ride out a major earthquake with minimal damage. That’s the vision.
Why All Three?
These projects might seem unrelated, but they share a common thread: using technology to make a real difference. The Bird ID app connects people with the natural world around them. The OMSI exhibits inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. And StabilityCore tackles one of the most destructive natural forces on the planet.
I’ll keep sharing updates here as each project progresses. If you’re interested in any of this — especially if you’re in the seismic engineering, emergency preparedness, or construction space — I’d love to connect. Head to my contact page and reach out.
More to come.