Robotics Intern

Human-Robot Interaction, Hri

Posted on 11/2/2023

201-500 employees

Website

R&D arm of Toyota

Company Overview

Toyota Research Institute's mission is to improve the quality of human life through advances in artificial intelligence, automated driving, robotics, and materials science. They're dedicated to building a world of “mobility for all” where everyone, regardless of age or ability, can live in harmony with technology to enjoy a better life.

AI & Machine Learning

Automotive & Transportation

Robotics & Automation

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$100M

Founded

2016

Headquarters

Los Altos, California

Growth & Insights

Headcount

6 month growth

↓ -1%

1 year growth

↓ -1%

2 year growth

↓ -20%

Locations

Cambridge, MA, USA

Experience Level

Intern

Desired Skills

Python

CategoriesNew

AI & Machine Learning

Mechanical Engineering

Software Engineering

Requirements

Pursuing 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 experience as an academic Human-Robot Interaction researcher.
Experience with at least one of the following: behavior cloning, reinforcement learning, imitation learning, and related.
Strong software engineering skills (C++ / Python preferred) and experience analyzing/debugging autonomous robotic systems.
Experience with deploying and/or field-servicing prototype technologies.
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.
Familiarity with robotic simulators including Drake, Mujoco, Bullet, etc. and/or original ROS or ROS2.
Passion for seeing robotics help humans and have a real-world, large-scale impact.

Responsibilities

Designing physical human-robot interactions.
Creating interaction specifications, user flows, and wireframes.
Implementing controllers and/or planners that facilitate HRI.
Developing and running experiments on real hardware.
Producing maintainable code and documentation.
Presenting study findings to colleagues and the larger TRI organization.

Desired Qualifications

Experience in tactile sensing, modeling soft-contact, or soft robotics.
Expertise/Experience in machine learning around user behavioral modeling.
Knowledge of optimization and sampling based planners for physical, reactive planning and control.
System integration experience around complex, open-ended, and multi-functional projects.
Experience with qualitative and quantitative user research.

At Toyota Research Institute (TRI), we’re on a mission to improve the quality of human life. We’re developing new tools and capabilities to amplify the human experience. To lead this transformative shift in mobility, we’ve built a world-class team in Human-Centered AI, Human Interactive Driving, Energy and Materials, Machine Learning, and Robotics.

This is a summer 2024 paid 12-week internship opportunity. Please note that this internship will be an in-office role.

The Team

The Punyo team bridges complementary research and engineering expertise in physical human-robot interaction, user-centered design, soft robotics, humanoid systems, software development, educational & entertainment electronics, planning and controls, and robot learning. We’re working on highly compliant tactile “bubble” sensors and algorithms to put them to human-centered use, and innovating ways to physically support and amplify older adults in a variety of ways such as domestic manipulation skills, contact guarding assistance (think of helping someone up from a chair), affective touch, companionship, and social inclusion.

The Internship

We are looking for an intern researcher to contribute to our Robotics User Experience and Interaction Design (RUX-ID)’s Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) research program in our Cambridge, MA office! In collaboration with our Dexterous Manipulation team members, you will focus on designing physical human-robot interactions. Every day, you will help to rapidly test new concepts by creating interaction specifications, user flows, and wireframes. You will implement controllers and/or planners that facilitate HRI and continuously develop and run experiments on real hardware that interacts with real people leading to the production of maintainable code and documentation. Lastly, you will have the opportunity to present your study findings to your colleagues and the larger TRI organization. We welcome you to join a positive, friendly, and enthusiastic team of researchers, where your research will contribute to helping people gain independence, access, and mobility.

Qualifications

Pursuing 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 experience as an academic Human-Robot Interaction researcher.
Experience with at least one of the following: behavior cloning, reinforcement learning, imitation learning, and related.
Strong software engineering skills (C++ / Python preferred) and experience analyzing/debugging autonomous robotic systems.
Experience with deploying and/or field-servicing prototype technologies.
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.
Familiarity with robotic simulators including Drake, Mujoco, Bullet, etc. and/or original ROS or ROS2.
Passion for seeing robotics help humans and have a real-world, large-scale impact.

Bonus Qualifications

Experience in tactile sensing, modeling soft-contact, or soft robotics.
Expertise/Experience in machine learning around user behavioral modeling, adapting to individual user’s preferences, and preference changes over time.
Knowledge of optimization and sampling based planners for physical, reactive planning and control, trajectory optimization, or coordinated whole-body control.
System integration experience around complex, open-ended,and multi-functional projects.
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.

Please add a link to Google Scholar and include a full list of publications when submitting your CV to this position.

Please reference this Candidate Privacy Notice to inform you of the categories of personal information that we collect from individuals who inquire about and/or apply to work for Toyota Research Institute, Inc. or its subsidiaries, including Toyota A.I. Ventures GP, L.P., and the purposes for which we use such personal information.

TRI is fueled by a diverse and inclusive community of people with unique backgrounds, education and life experiences. We are dedicated to fostering an innovative and collaborative environment by living the values that are an essential part of our culture. We believe diversity makes us stronger and are proud to provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all, without regard to an applicant’s race, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, religion, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state or local laws.