About me

About me (updated 2014)

Hi, I'm King Au. I guess people change, and I am no exception, hence I think "About me" should be a function of time. Since I graduated with my PhD from the University of Canterbury in 2012, I've been working for General Electric in Christchurch as an electronic hardware engineer. At work I develop intrinsically safe instruments used in the oil and gas industry, the instruments are primarily for machine condition monitoring, which capture and analyze machine vibration data. Our instruments are ATEX Zone 0 rated, it is the most stringent safety requirement that allows the instrument to be used in environment that has explosive gas all the time.

The products we design have to be extremely safe and reliable. My day-to-day job activities includes electronic circuit design and testing, PCB layout, component selection and prototyping, DSP firmware programming. I'm particularly familiar with Bluetooth and WiFi technologies, as well as color LCD modules, touch panels and test jig designs.

In 2013 I also founded Sercon Tech Ltd, a company that builds houses and does commercial interior installation. That's why I'm also fairly familiar with project managing in the building industry. So far in 2014, I've managed to build one complete house and the interiors of a dozen commercial offices in Christchurch, New Zealand.

About me (updated 2010)

Hi, I'm King Au, or for legal matters such as publications my name is written as Qing Ou (pronounced King Au). I'm from Canton China, yes, you are right, I speak Cantonese. I have a passion for mechatronic system design, automation control, computer and electronic hardware and software. I am fascinated in robotics since a young age. It wouldn't surprise you that I am an engineer. This is my CV in case you are interested. I'm currently doing a PhD in mechatronic engineering at the University of Canterbury. My research topic is about vibration-based energy harvesting for wireless sensors. Half of my working time I reside in the wireless research centre (WRC) in the New Zealand ICT Innovation Institute (NZi3), and the other half in Commtest Instruments Ltd - the sponsor of my research. Another description of my research can be found in this WRC newsletter.

Okay, after the boring nerdy stuff, there are actually a lot of other things I am interested in and enjoy doing. Although I have to admit I have taken my undergrad engineering study way too seriously and so to avoid socializing and to have very little interest in anything other than engineering, now while still being passionate about engineering, especially in robotics, I am having a more balanced life style. Like most young people, I hang out with friends at some nights. Being a top student in economic and accounting in high school, I definitely like the financial side of the world. I read 'the google story', admire entrepreneurs and businessmen and certainly I want to take part in in the future if there is ever a chance for me. And the 'rich dad, poor dad' is a fascinating book, I truly recommend everyone to read it. In recent years I have found world history, politics and international relationships very interesting. Realized that knowing the history is the prerequisite to be able to understand why the world has become the one we see today, which explained why the political structure, economic, culture, people's attitudes and values are so different among some countries. The differences are quite often the root of any conflicts. I was surprised having a big picture and understanding of what has happened before can help project what is likely to happen in the future. I used to play quite a bit of guitars since high school, electric, base and acoustic. During university, I sold my electric guitars, and from then on I only play classical music on my acoustic guitar. I hate the winter in Christchurch, but the skiing fields are absolutely irresistible! Skiing is one of my favorite sport. Other than that, I go to the gym and play squash regularly. I also enjoy swimming and ice skating.