About me

I am a scientist and engineer in robotics, AI, and autonomous systems.

Scientific background

I bring a rigorous background in mathematics and engineering with special interest in autonomous system design and development. I am engaged in all aspects of robotic systems: perception, planning, control, learning, manipulation, grasping, human–robot interfacing and so on.

I am interested in endowing robots and systems with intelligent behavior for accomplishing useful work in adverse environments (unstructured, dynamic, uncertain) — across diverse applications such as autonomous logistics (robotic fulfillment), robotic recycling (metal cutting, waste sorting), and robot learning (data-driven grasping).

Professional background

Currently, I am at Amazon Robotics working as Postdoctoral Scientist in the Innovation Lab.

Previously, I completed my PhD in Robotics Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute working in the Manipulation & Environmental Robotics Lab under the supervision of Prof. Berk Calli.

At WPI, I was an R&D Trainee as part of the NSF Research Traineeship Program on the Future of Robots in the Workplace. I also participated in the NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center on Robots and Sensors for the Human Well-being.

You can reach me at james-akl@outlook.com or on LinkedIn.