From childhood Karan was interested in “how things work?” He wanted to understand the physics of all the things around him. He had an aptitude for Math and Science and his parents encouraged it from a very young age.
In high school Karan’s computer science teacher introduced him to coding. Coding and puzzles became his passion, along with computer science and physics.
Karan’s father, a mechanical engineer, would take Karan to the factory where he worked and show him the amazing world of industrial machines and battery technologies. This piqued his interest and inspired him to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
After finishing college Karan felt that there is still a lot to learn in this field and went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. There he met Dr. Kamesh Subbarao who mentored him in the study of unmanned vehicle systems and robotics. For his Master’s thesis research Karan tracked robot motions using time-of-flight and structured light sensors for indoor navigation. He also created an environment in which a robot can be accurately tracked in real-time using Kalman Filters and ROS. This sophisticated, cutting-edge technology combined everything that he loves, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, in perfect harmony. Karan wants to continue his career working with robotics and autonomous vehicles.
Karan’s advice for kids: Science and technology is always changing and evolving. Don’t be afraid to try something new, be curious, be imaginative. Trying things hands on is the best way to enjoy and develop a passion for engineering.