Erik Schluntz

Interests

As an engineer and an entrepreneur, I am constantly looking for problems to solve or processes to make more efficient. In particular, I am passionate about automation and data analysis. Machines can be used to dramatically improve performance of systems by eliminating labor intensive tasks, or performing them more accurately and more safely. Self driving cars promise to reduce accidents and congestion, and robotic warehouses can operating 24 hours a day.

Work Experience

I'm the cofounder and CTO of Cobalt Robotics. Along with my cofounder Travis Deyle, we build indoor security guard robots for offices, datacenters, and warehouses.

Previously, I worked on SpaceX's Flight Software Team, leading testing for an entirely new fuel system on the Falcon 9 rocket in 2015, and on Google[x]'s Smart Contact Lens project, prototyping radical new uses for low power electronics in 2014. While at Harvard I dropped out to start Posmetrics. We were accepted to Y Combinator’s winter class of 2013, and later acquired.

Education

I graduated from Harvard University with Master's and Bachelor's degrees Cum Laude in Electrical Engineering. My goal was to become a ‘Renaissance Engineer,’ with a broad range of knowledge across several disciplines so that I am able to approach problems from a holistic perspective. The issues we face today are too complex to be solved within a single specialty, and so I split my courses between computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and economics.

Outside of classes, I was the Co-President of RFC Cambridge, an autonomous robot soccer team split between Harvard and MIT. I was also an Associate Director of the Harvard College Consulting Group, where I have worked on cases with both startups and Fortune 500 companies.

Hobbies

On days off, I enjoy mountain biking, sailing, skiing, and hiking. When I don't have quite as much time, I read science fiction, lift weights, and discuss politics with friends.

I am also an avid traveler and greatly enjoy getting lost in a new city or area and experiencing different cultures. Some of my favorite trips have been to Beijing, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Istanbul, and Dar es Salaam.

Find Me