Kris Kersey

Kris
Kersey

Embedded engineer ยท Maker

Embedded
20yr
Fabrication
9yr

Kersey Fabrications
Atlanta, GA
oasisproject.net

Speaking

From Dragon Con panels to an Apache Software Foundation keynote, I speak about embedded systems, wearable AI, and building ambitious projects. Every session can include a live demonstration: the hardware runs on stage, and the heads-up display is visible to the audience.

  • 16 sessions
  • 7 events since 2023
  • 3 consecutive years at Dragon Con

Some of my past appearances

What I talk about

Building a real-life JARVIS

How much of a science-fiction wearable can be built today with parts you can order online. A tour of a working voice assistant, heads-up display, and sensor suite: what is solved, what remains hard, and where the surprises were.

General and technical audiences

Why I wrote a voice assistant in C

Most assistants of this kind are written in Python; the OASIS Project is not. What you gain in latency, predictability, and battery life without an interpreter or garbage collector between you and the hardware, and what that choice costs.

Engineering audiences

AI on the edge, for real

Speech recognition, wake words, and streaming language models running on wearable hardware. Where the latency actually goes, what fits inside the power budget, and how to decide what runs locally.

Engineering audiences

From cosplay to engineering

A wearable prop is a design document with hard constraints: weight, heat, power, and a person inside it. What a career of embedded work brought to fabrication, and learning fabrication brought back to building real-world, wearable technology.

Maker and general audiences

The practical part

Formats
Keynote, conference session, technical deep dive, panel, or a hands-on demo exhibit. Happy to do a Q&A or a live demo instead of slides if that suits the room better.
Length
20 to 60 minutes, plus questions. Workshops on request.
What I bring
The helmet and real, working hardware. Everything runs live in person.
A/V needs
HDMI, audio out to the house system, and a power outlet near the stage. I’ll send exact requirements once the format is set.
Travel
I can travel anywhere with expenses covered and sufficient notice. Because the hardware travels with me, we’ll confirm transportation arrangements once the demonstration scope is set.
Fee
I don’t currently charge a speaker fee. Travel and accommodation are usually all I ask.
Press kit
Bio, headshot, and photos of the hardware available on request.

Where I’ve spoken

  1. 2025Aug 28 – Sep 1
  2. 2024Sep 9 – 10

    Community Over Code

    Keynote · Apache Software Foundation

  3. 2024Aug 29 – Sep 2

    Dragon Con

    Panelist · 3 sessions · Atlanta

    • Elevating Armored Cosplay: Next-Level Techniques and Technology
    • Cosplay Electronics: Integrating Embedded Systems
    • Resin 3D Printing: Guide to Machines, Materials, and Safety
  4. 2024May 27

    MomoCon

    Panelist · Atlanta

    • Beginning 3D Printing For Cosplayers
  5. 2024

    NVIDIA GTC

    Presenter · Jetson Community Showcase

    • Jetson integration of DAWN and MIRAGE
    • Suit demonstration on the show floor — walk-around video
  6. 2023Aug 31 – Sep 4

    Dragon Con

    Panelist · 6 sessions · Atlanta

    • Beyond Cosplay: Creating a Fully-Functional Iron Man Helmet
    • Design, Print, Innovate: Leveraging 3D Printing for Your Maker Projects
    • High Tech Cosplay
    • Imposter! Getting Over Yourself
    • Maintaining Mental Health as a Content Creator
    • Neighborhoods: Building a Better Community
  7. 2023May 27

    MomoCon

    Panelist · Atlanta

    • Making It Real: High Tech in Cosplay

Booking inquiries

Send the event date, the audience, the session length you have in mind, and whether you’d like the hardware demonstrated in the room. That’s all I need to get the conversation started.