It does not surprise me at all that there is huge roadblocks to technical development and internal division on a new controller. I worked in tech for 15 years and I can tell you that once "the old guard" settles on a product, there are lots of internal road blocks put up to keep the younger engineers from "messing up what works." It's hugely demotivating when you come into a tech company as a young engineer on the premise that you'll be working on the latest and greatest only to have the "old guard" types controlling their little fiefdoms and telling you to "not make waves".
Been there. Done that. Got the tee shirt. And it's the reason why companies like Google come into existence, thrive and beat the pants off of old school players, mainly because young kids with ideas don't tolerate being boxed in.
So, Brian, your only option is to start your own pool automation company and "build the better mouse trap".
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