Timeline
Key milestones in John's remarkable journey
Birth
John R. Sosoka Jr is born on May 3rd, beginning a life of invention, curiosity, and kindness.
Early Years
Raised in a family of engineers, machinists, and educators, John grew up in an environment that valued critical thinking and hands-on problem solving. From a young age he experimented with electronics, clever pranks, and small inventions—early signs of the creativity and technical brilliance that would define his life.
University Years
Studies computer science and cognitive science at CSU Long Beach and UC Irvine, laying the foundation for a career that would bridge art, engineering, and cognition.
Founds Technology Application Group (TAG)
Launches TAG, a high-tech consulting firm advancing user interface systems, industrial automation, and early AI-driven control technologies.
Early Innovations at TAG
Develops a multi-threaded windowing system for DOS PCs, industrial automation for major manufacturers, avionics documentation for Boeing, and control systems used by federal research labs.
Director of Graphics, Emerson Technologies
Leads graphics and UI innovation for Emerson’s advanced TI-based multimedia PC. Achievements include streaming video on an Intel 386, a pioneering video-agent interface, and early video compression techniques later echoed in Apple QuickTime.
Director of Graphics, Davidson & Associates
Builds a state-of-the-art multimedia studio and modernizes graphics pipelines for one of the largest educational software publishers in the world.
Chief Technology Officer, Davidson & Associates
Leads engineering for nearly 100 commercial titles, including the Math Blaster franchise. Architects the ATLAS multimedia engine, and participates in due diligence that funded Blizzard Entertainment and Knowledge Adventure.
Special Thanks – Warcraft: Orcs & Humans
Credited in Blizzard’s groundbreaking Warcraft: Orcs & Humans for his support of emergent game technologies during the Davidson era.
Davidson Sold for $1.14 Billion
As CTO, helps guide Davidson & Associates through one of the largest ed-tech acquisitions in history.
Co-Founds Neurosmith
Launches Neurosmith, redefining early childhood learning with cognitive-science-driven interactive toys such as Music Blocks and Little Linguist.
Music Blocks Breakout Success
Music Blocks becomes a landmark STEM toy, selling over 100,000 units and earning widespread acclaim for its child-directed exploration model.
Musini Wins Most Innovative Toy of the Year
Neurosmith's Musini receives the T.O.T.Y. Award for Most Innovative Toy of the Year, cementing John’s legacy in educational play.
LEGO Collaboration
Leads Neurosmith’s joint development project with LEGO, merging digital learning concepts with physical play systems.
Research Sabbatical
Steps back to study biological and artificial cognition—research that will directly feed into the creation of one of the most beloved consumer robots ever made.
Neurosmith Assets Acquired
Neurosmith’s product line and IP are acquired by Small World Kids, supported by a $16.5 million credit facility to expand the brand.
Co-Founds Ugobe Lifeforms
Co-founds Ugobe with Caleb Chung and Derek Dotson. As CTO, John architects LifeOS, the artificial intelligence system behind Pleo—the first lifelike robotic companion designed for emotional interaction rather than utility.
Pleo Unveiled at DEMO
Pleo debuts at DEMO 2006, winning both the INNY and DEMOgod awards for its groundbreaking synthesis of AI, mechatronics, and character design.
Idaho Innovation Award
Ugobe wins the inaugural Idaho Innovation Award in the mechanical category for its pioneering lifelike robotics.
Pleo Commercial Release
Pleo launches globally, earning widespread acclaim and becoming one of the most iconic consumer robots of its era.
Ugobe Bankruptcy
The global economic crisis forces Ugobe to file for Chapter 7. Pleo’s rights are later acquired at auction, and the robot continues to influence robotics research and education worldwide.
Pulse-Robotics
Founds Pulse-Robotics to explore new control systems, robot mechanisms, and artistic robotics. Provides consulting across commercial, industrial, and fine-art robotics.
Vita Robotica
Launches Vita Robotica to explore new architectures for artificial cognition, continuing a lifelong fascination with adaptive systems.
Idaho Triennial – First Place Award
Collaborates with Francis Fox and Caleb Chung as BOCOLAB on 'Objects with Empathy.' The work wins First Place at the 2010 Idaho Triennial, celebrated for blending robotics, sculpture, and empathy.
Symbeeco Co-Founded
Co-founds Symbeeco to build intelligent lighting and smartphone-connected devices. The first product, SymbeeStars, is successfully crowd-funded.
Posterior Cortical Atrophy Diagnosis
Diagnosed with PCA, a rare neurodegenerative disorder affecting visual processing. Even as abilities changed, his curiosity, warmth, and humor endured.
Passing & Lasting Impact
John passes away in Eagle, Idaho, at age 68. His influence lives on through the people he mentored, the children who learned through his inventions, the robots that carried his imagination, and the countless lives shaped by his kindness.