About the role#
Toyota Research Institute is seeking a Robotics Intern to join our team in Cambridge. You will work on our next-generation telerobotics platform, focusing on teleoperation, VR/AR, and spatial computing. This role involves designing and testing systems that allow humans to control and teach robots through immersive interfaces. You will collaborate with teams in mechanical design, perception, controls, and UX to build prototypes that integrate robot hardware, motion capture, haptics, and 3D graphics.
What you'll do#
- Design, implement, and test systems for human-robot control through immersive interfaces.
- Develop real-time software prototypes that integrate robot hardware, motion capture, haptics, and 3D graphics.
- Refine VR/AR interfaces for robot control and build tools for 3D scene reconstruction.
- Create interactions for physical AI, such as visualizing and communicating policy intent.
- Conduct user studies to evaluate system usability.
- Contribute to open-source codebases and research publications.
- Demonstrate prototypes that advance human-robot interaction.
What you'll need#
- Currently pursuing a degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience with Python, C++, or Swift for real-time systems and graphics programming.
- Familiarity with Git, UNIX/Linux systems, and AI tools like Claude or Codex.
- Proficiency with VR/AR/XR frameworks such as Unity, Unreal, or visionOS.
- Understanding of robot kinematics, motion capture, and teleoperation control principles.
- Exposure to 3D perception and visualization, including depth images, point clouds, or gaussian splatting.
- Strong problem-solving and communication skills with a willingness to collaborate across disciplines.
- Bonus points for experience with Apple development frameworks (SwiftUI, RealityKit, ARKit, Xcode), UX design, ROS2, Isaac Sim, tactile sensing, or motion retargeting.
Location & details#
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Modality: Hybrid.
- Commitment: Full-time, 12-week internship.
- Compensation: This is a paid position.
About Toyota Research Institute
Toyota Research Institute is a research organization founded in 2016. Based in Los Altos, California, it operates as a subsidiary of Toyota. The company focuses on artificial intelligence, robotics, automated driving, and material sciences. Its staff of approximately 485 employees works to develop technology for vehicles and robots while researching new materials for batteries and fuel cells.
How to get in at Toyota Research Institute
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