Hi everyone,
I hope this is the right place to post this. I’m looking for some guidance and would really appreciate any advice or connections the community might be able to offer.
I’m a robotics engineer based in a developing country in Southeast Asia, and one thing I’ve observed is that ROS2 adoption here is still very limited. There are only a handful of people actively working with it, and because of that, students, hobbyists, and even practicing engineers have very little exposure to the ecosystem. Most people I know who are interested in robotics don’t even know where to begin.
What I’m hoping to build
I’ve been thinking about starting a small, grassroots ROS2 and robotics community in my country. Nothing overly ambitious at first, the initial goal would be to:
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Run free introductory workshops and seminars on ROS2
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Organize project showcases where people can share what they’re building
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Curate and share learning materials suited to beginners
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Create a space where students, hobbyists, and engineers can connect and grow together
My long-term hope is to help inspire the next generation of robotics developers here and make autonomous systems more accessible to people who otherwise wouldn’t have a path in.
Where I’m struggling
While I’m passionate about this, I recognize that building a community, developing training curricula, organizing events, and finding the right audience is a significant undertaking for one person. I don’t want to reinvent the wheel if there are already people, resources, or frameworks I can learn from or build on.
Specifically, I’m hoping the community here might be able to help with:
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Advice from others who have built or grown robotics communities, especially in regions where ROS2 is not yet established
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Pointers to existing ROS2 curricula or training modules that could be adapted for beginners and repurposed for local workshops
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Connections to educators, community organizers, or regional ROS groups who might be open to collaborating or offering guidance
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Any regional outreach or mentorship programs that Open Robotics or affiliated organizations may already have in place
Why I believe this matters
My country has no shortage of talented, motivated people. What’s often missing is exposure, mentorship, and access to the right opportunities. I’ve seen firsthand what a difference it makes when someone is given the right tools and a supportive environment to learn in. I’d love to do my part in helping bridge that gap, even in a small way, and I believe the ROS2 ecosystem is exactly the kind of platform that can unlock real opportunities for people here.
Any advice, resources, introductions, or even just encouragement would mean a lot. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I genuinely appreciate whatever help you’re able to offer.