Looking for a Shenzhen Robotics Enthusiast/Maker to Explore & Learn With on My Buying Trip

I’m visiting Shenzhen for a few days in August, and I’m looking for someone to spend one or two full days exploring its robotics and electronics ecosystem with me. This isn’t really a sourcing job. It isn’t really a translation job either. Think of it more as spending a couple of days exploring one of the world’s greatest electronics playgrounds with another technology enthusiast. About me I’ve spent over 40 years working in technology, most recently focused on AI and blockchain. Although I’m only now moving into robotics, I’ve spent a lifetime building and repairing things. Over the years I’ve: * Built a full-size two-seat aircraft and flew it over 1000 hours. * Restored several classic cars. * Repaired arcade machines back in the Space Invaders era, carrying out board-level diagnostics and component repairs—not simply swapping boards. * Always enjoyed understanding how things work and building them. I’m now building a serious home robotics workshop and AI lab. I’ve already bought my first 3D printer (which is still waiting for its first serious project!), and I’m assembling the equipment, tools, and components that will let me learn by building. I’m interested in robot arms, Jetson platforms, embedded AI, ROS, machine vision, servos, actuators, sensors, workshop tools, electronics and mechanical components. I already have the beginnings of a shopping list, but I fully expect many of the best purchases will be things I don’t yet know exist. One of the main reasons for making this trip is that I’d genuinely like to learn from someone with more hands-on robotics experience than I have. Before the trip I’d like us to spend a few hours together on Zoom before I arrive. The goal would be to: * Review and improve my shopping list. * Suggest better alternatives. * Recommend shops, suppliers and markets. * Identify any specialist stores or makerspaces worth visiting. * Plan the itinerary so we make the most of the limited time available. During the trip I’d like to spend one or two full days together: * Exploring Huaqiangbei and other specialist electronics markets. * Visiting robotics suppliers and interesting shops. * Comparing robot arms, motors, sensors, Jetson hardware and development boards. * Discussing what hardware is genuinely worth buying. * Testing items before purchase where appropriate. * Discovering interesting products that don’t usually appear in online searches. * Talking about robotics, AI, engineering and future projects over coffee and lunch. If we spend thirty minutes discussing why one servo is a better choice than another, or discover a tiny sensor neither of us expected to find, that’s exactly the sort of day I’m hoping for. Who I’m looking for You should: * Live in Shenzhen. * Speak fluent Mandarin and strong conversational English. We’ll probably spend 10–12 or more hours together discussing technical subjects, so being able to communicate naturally is important. * Have genuine hands-on robotics or embedded electronics experience. * Enjoy sharing your knowledge and discussing ideas. * Be curious, practical, and enthusiastic. You might be: * A robotics hobbyist. * A maker. * An embedded systems engineer. * A university researcher or student. * A professional engineer who spends evenings building personal projects. I’m much more interested in enthusiasm and practical experience than your job title. This probably isn’t for you if… * You’re primarily a sourcing agent. * Your experience is mainly factory procurement or export logistics. * Robotics and electronics are simply products you buy rather than something you personally enjoy. Those are valuable skills, but they aren’t what I’m looking for on this trip. After the trip If we get on well, I’d love to stay in touch via WeChat for the occasional question, advice, or help sourcing interesting parts in the future. To apply Please answer the following: 1. Tell me about the robotics or electronics projects you’ve personally built. 2. Which robotics, embedded, or AI platforms do you know best (Jetson, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, Arduino, ROS, etc.)? 3. If I only had two days in Shenzhen, what five places would you insist we visit, and why? 4. What’s the most interesting piece of robotics or electronics hardware you’ve discovered in Shenzhen that most visitors would never notice? 5. Are you happy to spend a few hours on Zoom beforehand planning the trip with me? 6. Which days are you available in early August? 7. How would you price this engagement? I expect there to be an hourly rate for the pre-trip planning sessions and a day rate for the days we spend together in Shenzhen. Photos of your workshop, projects, GitHub repositories, videos, blog posts, or anything you’ve built would be fantastic. Above all, I’m looking for someone who’s genuinely excited by robotics, enjoys building things, and would have fun spending a couple of days exploring Shenzhen together.