Robotics Intern - Human-Robot Interaction at Toyota Research Institute

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

InternshipExperience Level

InternshipJob Type

UnknownVisa

Robotics, Automotive, AI ResearchIndustries

Requirements

Pursuing an MS or PhD degree in Human-Robot Interaction, Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
2+ years of experience as an academic Human-Robot Interaction researcher
Strong software engineering skills (C++ / Python preferred) and experience analyzing/debugging autonomous robotic systems
Experience with deploying and/or field-servicing prototype technologies
Experience conducting user studies involving real robot hardware
Experience with writing peer-reviewed conference papers or journal articles as lead author
Desire to contribute back to the robotics community with publications and open source code
Passion for seeing robotics help humans and have a real-world, large-scale impact
Bonus Qualifications
Familiarity with original ROS/ROS 2 or similar middleware, and with robotic simulators including Drake, Mujoco, Bullet, etc
Experience with behavior cloning and related imitation learning methods
Experience with interactive machine learning techniques that adapt robot policies given human feedback/corrections
Experience with qualitative and quantitative user research, including developing user study materials, IRB applications, facilitation and interviewing, management of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), and statistical analysis
Experience with UX design principles and high-fidelity prototyping
System integration experience around complex, open-ended, and multi-functional prototypes

Responsibilities

Focus on understanding how general population (non-roboticist) users teach different robot embodiments to perform real-world tasks to their preferences through multimodal modes of communication (e.g., visual, auditory, tactile, etc.)
Plan and implement a human-robot interaction study, including the implementation of various teaching modes for users to engage with
Incorporate a longitudinal element to the project, exploring how user expectations may adapt over multiple interactions with robot behaviors
Derive findings from the user study that may yield peer-reviewed conference papers or journal articles
Present study findings to colleagues and the larger TRI organization

Skills

Human-Robot Interaction

Robotics

Machine Learning

Perception

Controls

Simulation

Multimodal Communication

Toyota Research Institute

Research in mobility, safety, and automation

About Toyota Research Institute

Toyota Research Institute focuses on improving mobility through research and development in the automotive and technology sectors. The company works on enhancing safety, automated driving, robotics, materials science, and machine learning. Their products include advanced safety features and automated driving systems that aim to make driving safer and more efficient. Unlike many competitors, TRI emphasizes a research-driven approach, collaborating with various partners and licensing their innovations to enhance Toyota's offerings and maintain a competitive edge. The goal of TRI is to advance mobility solutions that improve quality of life and support the transition to zero-emissions transportation.

Los Altos, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2016Year Founded

$100MTotal Funding

SEEDCompany Stage

Robotics & Automation, Automotive & Transportation, AI & Machine LearningIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

Highly competitive benefits package

Robust programs to support the wellbeing, happiness, and health of our people and their families.

401(k) plan including matching and annual profit sharing along with total vacation and holidays totaling 38 days per year.

Subsidized commuter benefits and generous employee and vehicle allowances

2 paid days per year to participate in volunteer activities.

Maternity Leave program with 10 paid weeks plus baby bonding leave and Milk Stork for traveling moms

Baby Bonding Leave–an additional 16 paid weeks–to all new parents, including those who choose to adopt.

Back-up child and adult / elder care programs to help everyone thrive

WellBeats Virtual Fitness Trainer.

Risks

Public skepticism may undermine AI-assisted driving safety initiatives.

Boston Dynamics' high costs could impact TRI's humanoid robot project returns.

Complexity of real-world environments may delay TRI's robot skill deployment.

Differentiation

TRI focuses on AI to enhance human life and mobility.

Partnerships with Boston Dynamics and Stanford showcase TRI's collaborative innovation.

TRI's Driving Sensei concept integrates AI to improve driver skills and engagement.

Upsides

Generative AI allows TRI's robots to learn complex tasks without new coding.

TRI's AI-driven material synthesis could revolutionize EV battery development.

Autonomous tandem drifting collaboration with Stanford pushes vehicle dynamics boundaries.

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