RD
The Problem Solver
Rob founded Robokeys with a simple philosophy: the best solutions come from scratching your own itch. If its a problem for me its likely to be a problem for others. What started as solving internal development challenges evolved into breakthrough innovations that are changing how the industry approaches AI-assisted development.
Innovation Track Record
Rob's approach to innovation is uniquely practical—he identified fundamental problems in AI-assisted development and created the first solutions.
🛡️ ShellGuard
Built an AI-assisted SSH command approval and risk assessment system for secure, auditable automation in DevOps environments.
🤖 Robokeytags
Created the first open standard for persistent AI coding memory, solving the context loss problem that affects all AI development tools.
🏛️ VerZanctuary
Built Git-backed safe experimentation spaces for AI-assisted development, eliminating the fear of AI mistakes.
⌨️ Robokeyboard
Developed open-source Arduino-based automation platform for testing, demos, and developer productivity.
📚 Staged Refactoring
Pioneered methodologies for legacy modernization that prioritize working software over perfect rewrites.
Technical Expertise
With over two decades in enterprise development, Rob brings deep expertise across multiple domains:
Backend & Architecture
- JVM Ecosystem: Spring Boot, Ktor, Kotlin, Java enterprise development
- Microservices: Service decomposition, async processing, REST API design
- Legacy Modernization: Gradual migration strategies, performance optimization
Modern Web Development
- Frontend Integration: SvelteKit + TypeScript with JVM backends
- Architecture: Clean separation of concerns, shared model strategies
- Team Enablement: Helping Java teams transition to modern stacks
AI Development Tools
- Context Persistence: AI memory systems and multi-session workflows
- Multi-Agent Collaboration: AI agents working together on codebases
- Safe Experimentation: Risk mitigation for AI-assisted development
Hardware & Automation
- Embedded Systems: Arduino, microcontroller programming
- Integration: Hardware-software bridges, automation platforms
- Open Source: Community-driven development and documentation
Philosophy & Approach
Rob's development philosophy centers on transparency and practical problem-solving. His "building in the open" approach means sharing not just the polished final products, but the messy intermediate stages and lessons learned along the way.
This transparency extends to his consulting work, where he focuses on enabling teams rather than creating dependency. His staged refactoring methodology, for example, prioritizes working software at every step rather than attempting risky "big bang" rewrites.
Writing & Speaking
Rob regularly shares insights about software architecture, AI-assisted development, and modern development practices through his technical blog at robd.tech. His writing focuses on real-world experiences and practical guidance rather than theoretical concepts.
Recent topics include:
- The origin story of Robokeytags and solving AI memory loss
- Staged refactoring methodologies for legacy systems
- Building hardware-software integration with modern tools
- Enterprise adoption strategies for AI development tools
Contact Rob
Rob is available for consulting, speaking engagements, and collaboration on innovative development tools. He's particularly interested in helping teams navigate the transition to AI-assisted development safely and systematically.
The best way to reach him is through [email protected] or by following his work on his technical blog.