Robbe Derks
Hardware Engineer at PracticApp (self-employed)
Limburg, Belgium
Summary
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Rockstar🎓
Top SchoolRobbe Derks is a hardware-focused embedded engineer with 14 years of experience building low-level systems for automotive and robotics applications, currently designing hardware at comma.ai. He specializes in sensor integration, real-time data processing, and CAN bus/D B C reverse-engineering, contributing drivers and power-monitoring improvements to high-profile open-source projects like openpilot and panda. His work spans I2C sensor drivers (Ublox GNSS, BMX055), audio and peripheral control, and heartbeat and diagnostic mechanisms that bridge hardware and firmware. Based in Limburg, Belgium, he combines a master’s in electrical engineering with freelance development experience, enabling both product-focused engineering and rapid prototyping. Notably, his contributions help extend openpilot’s hardware support across hundreds of vehicle models, reflecting practical impact on deployed driver-assistance systems. He brings a pragmatic, hands-on approach to complex embedded challenges and a knack for turning messy hardware interfaces into reliable, testable systems.
14 years of coding experience
3 years of employment as a software developer
Industrial Sciences, Industrial Sciences at Provinciaal Instituut LommelEngineering, Electronics and Information Technology, Engineering, Electronics and Information Technology at Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Stackoverflow
11reputation
938reached
0answers
1question
Github Skills (24)
c-language10
robotics10
dbconnection10
python10
hardware-interface10
gps10
c-programming10
microcontroller10
dbcp10
i2c10
sys10
system-integration10
automotive10
sensor-fusion10
can-bus10
Programming languages (11)
Github contributions (5)
commaai/panda
Jul 2019 - Jan 2023
code powering the comma.ai panda
Role in this project:
Embedded Systems Engineer / IoT Developer
Embedded Systems Engineer / IoT DeveloperContributions:134 reviews, 113 commits, 243 PRs in 3 years 6 months
Contributions summary:Robbe contributed to the development of the comma.ai panda, a device that interfaces with a vehicle's CAN bus. Their work focused on low-level embedded system programming, including implementing heartbeat mechanisms for black loopback testing, configuring and debugging the audio codec for the cuatro model, as well as implementing hardware-level functionalities related to the siren and fan control. The commits reflect a detailed understanding of the hardware and software interaction within an embedded environment.
pandacommapython
commaai/openpilot
Jan 2020 - Jan 2023
openpilot is an operating system for robotics. Currently, it upgrades the driver assistance system on 300+ supported cars.
Role in this project:Embedded Systems Engineer
Embedded Systems EngineerContributions:63 reviews, 98 commits, 180 PRs in 3 years
Contributions summary:Robbe primarily focused on low-level system and sensor integration, adding support for new hardware components like the Ublox GNSS and BMX055 sensors within the robotics operating system. They implemented drivers, wrote message handlers, and configured sensor data, showcasing a strong understanding of embedded systems, hardware communication (I2C), and real-time data processing. Additionally, the user also focused on power monitoring capabilities and performance improvements.
driveroperating-systemroboticsdriver-assistance-systemsadvanced-driver-assistance-systems
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