Episode #45 Sh*tHappens: Inventing "The Poopcopter" a Dog Waste Removal Drone with Caleb Olson

For the dog feces handler in all of us—meet the Poopcopter, the drone that steps in and picks up, so you don’t have to. In this episode of Cupalo Conversations, join host Lauren Hannon as she interviews Caleb Olson, the creator of the Poopcopter, a groundbreaking drone designed to automate dog waste removal. Caleb reveals the journey behind his innovative invention, diving into its design, functionality, and the technical challenges he’s overcome. With hundreds of hours invested, Caleb discusses balancing a full-time job with his passion project and offers advice for aspiring inventors on time management, the importance of feedback, and leveraging cross-disciplinary knowledge. As a software engineer, Caleb is most comfortable in the technical realm, but he shares the trials of navigating the business side, from patents to potential public speaking opportunities. Key insights include the value of passion in problem-solving, the power of collaboration, and the importance of taking the first step. Tune in to discover how Caleb’s journey exemplifies the intersection of hardware and software, and how innovation can emerge from unexpected places. Perfect for tech enthusiasts, aspiring inventors, and anyone fascinated by real-world applications of cutting-edge tech! 00:00 Introduction to Caleb Olson, Inventor of The Poopcopter 05:00 Challenges and Innovations in Design 06:23 Patent Process & Intellectual Property 08:54 Caleb's Other Inventions 13:59 Problem Solving & the Passion Behind the Invention 16:42 Staving Off Cultural Pressures 18:42 Navigating External Opinions and Advice 25:28 Staying in Your Lane: The Importance of Specialization 30:44 Embracing Public Challenges and Personal Growth 33:17 To Try Or Not to Try: Overcoming Fear Connect with Lauren Hannon Sign up for "Cupalo Newsletter" (Lauren's email newsletter): https://cupalo.substack.com/ Follow Lauren on LinkedIn: / hannonlauren Check out Cupalo's website: https://cupalo.io