New team feed

After completing a PhD in computer vision (Cambridge University), Duncan established an engineering consultancy business with the goal of facilitating the commercialization of cutting-edge machine learning and computer vision technology. In this context, he worked closely with high profile clients such as Microsoft Research and Samsung. He has also had a pivotal role in the success of several high-growth technology start-ups including Metail (Co-Founder, Chief Scientific Officer) and TrialReach (CSO). Duncan has authored numerous patents and high-profile technical publications. He is also an active angel investor, and has invested in and advised several exciting technology start-ups such as uncrewed aviation pioneer Flylogix (of which he is a non-exec director). In his free time, Duncan enjoys windsurfing, sailing, piano, art collecting, and managing a small area of farmland and nature reserve.

Having studied undergraduate Engineering Mathematics at Bristol, Ed spent a year cycling solo from Vancouver to Buenos Aires. Since then, his self-evident tenacity and initiative have been put to equally good use in the world of technology start-ups – of which he has gained considerable experience. He was a founder member of the R&D team at Metail and an engineering consultant at Redimension. His roles have spanned writing cutting edge research software to building mechanical mannequins for garment photography. He is an inventor of several patents.

Frank is an experienced automation engineer and project manager both in industry and consultancy. At The Automation Partnership (now TAP Biosystems) he led large robotics developments, including all automation for the UK Biobank’s POLAR automated sample store which contains 10M blood samples – for which he came runner up in the MacRobert Engineering Award. More recently he led the Systems Development Group at 42 Technology, developing innovative automated processes for several clients. He has a M.Eng. degree from Cambridge University, and recently completed his MBA.

Dr Nick Scott has almost thirty years experience of manufacturing and engineering. Having studied Manufacturing Engineering Tripos at Cambridge University, he gained a PhD in complex systems whilst working full time in an operations leadership role. He has spent time in both consulting and manufacturing. Starting out as a special purpose machine designer, he has worked in precision engineering manufacture of capital equipment, inkjet printing, IoT devices, medical devices and fast moving consumer goods. Trained in lean manufacturing by Shingijutsu, his lean manufacturing transformations have won three international “most improved” plant awards. Additionally, he has improved operational performance in the NHS, utilities, logistics, government and a charity. When not enjoying his work Nick runs, has an engineer’s workshop at home and stands next to football pitches and basketball courts embarrassing his sons.

Mat was awarded the highly prestigious MacRobert Engineering Award in recognition of his role within the Microsoft Research team that developed the body tracking software at the heart of Microsoft Kinect (>20M units sold). However, as well as being an extremely talented software engineer, Mat is also one of a rare breed of technologists who is equally at home in front of an electronics bench, milling machine, or welding gun. This, added to his track record of managing the development of complex engineering systems, makes him the ideal person to head up Dogtooth’s technology team.

Cat heads up our Project Management department having spent over eleven years designing, debugging and delivering electronic hardware. She combines her technical engineering background with her skills and experience of running projects and enjoyment of of process management.

Cat spent 8 years prior to Dogtooth working on engineering projects across Aerospace & Defence, Medical, Life Sciences and Industrial sectors. This includes many exciting projects that she sadly can’t tell us about, but loves working within the Agriculture industry with exciting state-of-the-art robotics.

She holds a Masters Degree in Electronics Engineering from Durham University, and engineering chartership with the IET.

When Cat isn’t designing, debugging and improving electronic systems and processes she loves spending time with her young family, playing boardgames, and enjoying something sweet. We are assured these are not all at the same time.

Tom is a mechanical engineer with experience in design and analysis of systems ranging across the consumer, medical, and industrial sectors. His mechanical engineering skills are complimented by a good understanding of surrounding areas, and he has experience designing complex, multi-disciplinary systems. His previous experience includes technical leadership for the multi-million pound development of an industrial gas valve, and management of projects developing anything from novel drinks coolers to surgical devices. Tom holds a 1st class Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Cambridge and is a chartered engineer with the IMechE.

Stephen joined our Manufacturing Department as a Build Technician in February 2019 at the start of his Engineering career. Growing up in Zimbabwe, his fascination for robotics manifested in his final year in A Level during an engineering project to build an extendable mechanical arm. From there, he moved back to the UK to complete an undergraduate degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Derby and then a masters in Mechatronics and Robotics at the University of Leeds.

Tom has a first class degree in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Brown University. After four years as a postdoctoral researcher working in the field of computational statistics he left academia to pursue his dream of taking research out of the laboratory and using it to develop practical technologies of more immediate benefit to society. Since then he has worked on applying cutting edge machine learning techniques in the fields of cyber security and autonomous driving and, in his current role at Dogtooth technologies, to developing the next generation of agricultural robotics.

Ruan Kendall is a Research Software Development Engineer with more than 10 years experience developing cutting-edge machine learning and computer vision software for commercial applications. As a consultant at Redimension he worked on behalf of a wide variety of clients, ranging from large multinationals (working on Kinect at Microsoft Research) to high-growth technology start-ups including Antidote and Metail.

After graduating from Birmingham University with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacture and Management, Paul joined Price Waterhouse and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. He then moved out into industry, working in a variety of consumer and retail areas, before moving to Belgium in 2000 with Levi Strauss & Co. After five years working in Europe, Paul moved back to the UK, continued to work in retail, and also completed his MBA in 2007, specialising in the role of the accountant in Corporate Social Responsibly and was a member of the ICAEW CSR committee.

In 2013, Paul moved to Oslo, Norway and joined Specsavers, supporting the growth of their business in the Nordic region, most recently as Business Development Director, before relocating back to the UK in 2017. During his time in Oslo, Paul became a keen cross-country skier as well as a winter cyclist – commuting to work with studded tyres on ice alongside the fjord in winter darkness! Since leaving Specsavers, Paul has focussed on hi-tech start-ups, particularly business planning & strategy and the development of Business Intelligence within the Finance function.
Paul is married with two children, two cats and a dog. He enjoys all types of self-powered outdoor activities – cycling, kayaking, snowboarding to name but a few. He volunteers through his local church with the under-3s group, and with Helping Hands, an outreach to those in need of practical support in Bedford.

Victoria has been expertly managing and overseeing Dogtooth’s finances since the very beginning, ensuring the company’s growth is built on a strong and sustainable foundation. Fluent in three languages, she brings an international perspective and enjoys the opportunity to connect with people. Victoria is always keen to share the wonders of Dogtooth’s robots with others and is proud to work alongside such a talented and dedicated team. She is also deeply committed to giving back, having volunteered with Christian organisations in Belgium, Spain and France. In the UK she has taught Sunday school and helped run the kids club at her local church. Outside of Dogtooth, you’ll find Victoria catching up with friends, enjoying early morning walks often before sunrise, or on the court discovering her new passion for tennis.

Ollie has been drawing robots since the age of 6, and occasionally still does. But as a man matures one should move on from drawing killer death machines from outer space, to building elegant agricultural robots. So it goes. Along with drawing robots, over the years he has drawn and painted lots of other things, sometimes in comic books, often on canvas, sometimes just a pretty thing to put on a wall. He’s also spent time as a Publican, notably successful at the helm of the first newly built pub in Cambridge for 32 years. There was a period in Education working with special needs, some time coaching rowing for the Colleges, and installing the exhibits at Kettles Yard for a number of years. There was also enough time for him to read Sociology at Leeds Met University. Bridging the gap between Art and Engineering, he brings an aesthetic sensibility, mechanical sympathy and an appetite for production. In his spare time he can be found making vast amounts of noise in his band, painting, playing cricket, thinking about going rowing again and building castles with his son.

Samuel is a machine learning researcher and computer vision specialist. After completing his Mechanical Engineering degree at Durham University, Samuel gained experience at Idaho National Laboratory in the US, where became inspired by the limitless potential of artificial intelligence. In pursuit of this new-found passion, he went on to complete a master’s in Robotics with the University of Plymouth—during which time he developed a system for autonomous malaria microscopy—and a PhD in Deep Learning with Cranfield University and MBDA—where he worked on the next generation of intelligent infrared missile seekers. Beyond work, Samuel holds a black belt in judo and enjoys running, cycling, and hiking.

Rob graduated from Bath with a first class Masters in Mechanical engineering. He became fond of robotics during his final years conducting his dissertation in methods to model continuum robots. He grew up on a farm in mid-Wales and has been fixing farm equipment and machinery for many years. Along the way he has taught himself how to weld which has led to him making items such as bespoke equipment for holding sheep during technical operations. If he hasn’t returned to the farm he can be found in one of the many local pubs around Cambridge.

Candy joined the Dogtooth team as Office Manager, following an (exhausting) 5-year career break to raise her twins.

With over a decade of experience project managing creative campaigns for renowned entertainment brands such as The Dark Knight, Harry Potter, Friends and Game of Thrones, Candy was eager to apply her talents to help the (then) small engineering team at Dogtooth remain focused on their ambitious goal of creating robots capable of picking strawberries – a seemingly impossible task in her mind. Fast forward three years and 22+ new employees later, Candy is now a firm believer in the potential of intelligent robotics.

Candy’s strong work ethic, and commitment make her an exceptional member of the team. She is excited to continue developing her skills as she takes on a new role supporting the senior leadership team.

Originally from South Africa but having fully embraced British culture, Candy enjoys curry, ale and light exercise!