The Labs’ history

DJD Labs was founded by Doug DeHaven back in 2003 With the goal of bettering the air ride market. There was so much misinformation out on the web. From manufacturers not understanding how to test their own products to forums full of ‘know it all’ posters with flat out wrong information.

Let’s take you back, way back to some of the early content from DJD Labs. My how far we have come!

Before the lab began, I always had an interest in robotics.
Check out my start into robotics, where I worked with the Cye robot, and Henry ( Shown on the cover ) , and a great guy named Russ took a gamble to hire me out of high school and launched my crazy journey to where I am now. Big thanks to them both, and to Mike, the Tech teacher who believed in me! … man almost 24 years ago!

And for those curious, yes, I still stare at robots with a confused look on my face ha! Here is a recent photo of me during a Lab tour.

If you want a deep dive, here is a video explaining the Cye robot store and my connection to it all.

The Curiosity That Built a Lab

My name is Doug DeHaven, and I’m the owner, sole employee, and – happily – the driving force behind DJD Labs. But to truly understand what DJD Labs is today, you have to go back a bit – back to a childhood spent taking things apart, wondering how things worked, and usually failing to put them back together quite right. That early curiosity never really left me.

It manifested itself in my first job, a seemingly simple gig repairing electronics. It wasn’t just about swapping out circuit boards; it was about tracing signals, understanding logic, and troubleshooting complex systems. That’s where I first learned to really see how things were connected, and developed a knack for diagnostics.

Next came a stint in a Flashlight factory. Suddenly, theory became tangible. I learned to shape metal, to understand tolerances, to appreciate the precision required to bring an idea to life. The smell of cutting oil and the hum of the machinery became a strangely comforting soundtrack. It wasn’t just about making things; it was about understanding the limits of what materials could do.

From there, I transitioned into a role maintaining automated production lines. I spent years immersed in the world of robotics, PLCs, and high-speed machinery. This wasn’t just about keeping things running; it was about deeply understanding complex systems. I was responsible for everything from preventative maintenance and troubleshooting to complete line reconstructions – even rebuilding an entire Duracell battery manufacturing line after a major shutdown! It taught me the importance of methodical analysis, the power of a well-designed system, and the vital link between software and hardware. I became proficient in programming, control system design, and the integration of various robotic components.

That foundation led to an incredibly stimulating position at a local Science Center. It was a completely different world – a creative outlet where I could design new exhibits and develop interactive technologies to engage and inspire visitors. I spearheaded projects incorporating pneumatics, hydraulics, and advanced sensor systems, always striving to explain complex scientific principles in an accessible and exciting way. This experience wasn’t just about engineering; it was about communication, storytelling, and translating abstract concepts into tangible experiences.

I’ve always been driven by a desire to improve things, and that Science Center experience really cemented that. Seeing the spark of understanding in someone’s eyes when they grasped a new concept fueled my passion for innovation.

In fact, I never really thrived in traditional academic settings. College just wasn’t the right fit. I’m a questioner by nature – when told the sky was blue, I needed to know why! That constant questioning and refusal to simply accept things as they are led me down a different path. I found that the best education came from taking jobs that would teach me what I wanted to learn.

This diverse path through manufacturing, robotics, pneumatics, automotive, and production has given me a unique skillset. I’m able to bridge worlds and connect technologies that aren’t often linked, leading to the development of truly innovative and patentable designs. I like to think my broad range of experiences and cross-disciplinary approach sets me apart.

Throughout all of this, though, I noticed something. A lot of the information available – especially in areas I was passionate about like air suspension – was either incomplete, biased, or just plain wrong. It felt like there was a real need for objective, data-driven analysis.

That’s when the seed of DJD Labs was planted.

In 2003, I took the leap and established DJD Labs as a dedicated space for rigorous testing and unbiased evaluation. It started small – a focused effort on air suspension components – but the core principle was always the same: truth through testing. I wanted to provide accurate data, clear explanations, and a reliable source of information for anyone who cared to look.

Over the years, the lab has organically expanded. My background in mechanical engineering, machine shop practices, and robotics naturally led to a wider range of projects. As well as consulting and R&D work with many of the large manufacturers in the aftermarket automotive industry.  Going forward now even as we tackle new challenges, the spirit of exploration remains central.

Today, DJD Labs is more than just a testing facility; it’s a passion project. It’s funded entirely by donations from people who believe in the mission – people who appreciate the value of scientific curiosity and objective analysis. The website, DJDlabs.com, is my outlet to share projects, insights, and the driving forces behind it all.

It’s a bit of a labor of love, honestly. But if even a single person finds something on this site interesting, helpful, or inspiring, it makes all the effort worthwhile.

That’s the point of DJD Labs: to explore, to understand, and to share that understanding with the world. To fuel curiosity, to empower knowledge, and to prove that even a one-man operation fueled by passion can make a difference.

Ultimately what drives DJD Labs – a commitment to developing innovative technologies that can help better the human condition and leave the world a slightly better place.

Thank you for visiting, and welcome to the world of DJD Labs. I hope you’ll stick around and explore! We both just may learn something along the way! 

Best regards,

Doug DeHaven

DJD Labs CEO and Founder