Senior Human-Computer Interaction Researcher

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.

The Human Interactive Driving team seeks to accelerate the path to building a much more intelligent vehicle that places humans at the center of a more evocative and safer driving experience. Under the Driving-Sensei concept, we research AI-based interactions to unlock a person’s full driving capability while simultaneously making driving safer and more enjoyable.

We are looking for a Senior Human-Computer Interaction Researcher to work on our Driving-Sensei project, focusing on designing user studies, implementing prototype software and hardware, conducting user studies, analyzing data, and reporting findings through writing papers. You will also be involved in transferring research prototypes from performance driving applications to real-world teen driving scenarios both in a driving simulator as well as real vehicle platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct user studies to evaluate the effectiveness of HCI systems in improving driving skills and enjoyment.
• Develop and implement prototype HCI systems that involve real-time interactions reacting to sensor inputs from a vehicle.
• Transfer existing research prototypes from performance driving domain to teen driving application domain.
• Analyze data collected from user studies (Python/R) and present findings through internally and externally published research papers and presentations
• Debug hardware and software interfaces from both software and hardware perspectives.
• Train and manage research assistants to aid in the execution of research
• Capture intellectual property generated through the research process in the form of invention disclosures
• Specify, budget, and manage recruitment activities performed by external agencies
• Work on-site at our Los Altos office and travel monthly to a race track for vehicle testing.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, or equivalent.
• 3+ years of experience in HCI/HMI research or human-factor-related projects in the automotive field.
• Hands-on approach to prototyping and coding (e.g., Python, C++, Arduino, Raspberry Pi).
• Strong programming skills in Python, C++, and development tools in Linux.
• Experience implementing interactions using machine learning algorithms, including large language models and computer vision.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly across different audiences
• Have a high level of initiative and self-motivation, work without direct supervision

Bonus Qualifications

• Working knowledge of software development using ROS2.
• Basic understanding of vehicle control and/or wheeled robotics.
• Experience in software development in a production/commercial environment.
• Experience in researching shared control systems.
• Experience working in the field of artificial intelligence including autonomous and semi-autonomous driving systems or robotics
• Experience working with various input and output modalities (i.e. touch, speech, haptics, displays, etc.)

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $170,240 and $270,000/year for California-based roles; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Note that TRI offers a generous benefits package (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave) and an annual cash bonus structure. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

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