Hello! I'm Ava, and I'm a roboticist passionate about solving complex robotics problems to improve safety and quality of life on both individual and macro scales. I completed my MS in robotics at Northwestern University in December 2023, and I received a BSE in mechanical engineering from UConn in 2022.
I have project and industry experience using languages including Python and C++, and I am proficient in using both with ROS/ROS 2. I'm also well-versed in using systems and software including Linux, Git, and Docker as well as working in agile environments.
Some of my notable past projects include programming a 7-DOF Franka arm to play air hockey, implementing hand gesture recognition and motion communication with the Unitree Go1 quadruped, and developing an extended Kalman filter SLAM pipeline from scratch on the TurtleBot3.
Most recently I finished my MS capstone project, in which I implemented grasping planners on a Kinova Jaco arm to establish shared autonomy using MoveIt deep grasps. I collaborated with Northwestern's Argallab, which focuses on assistive and rehabilitation robotics. The aim of my work was to help facilitate activities of daily living (ADLs).
I'm excited about a range of robotics software applications including autonomy, manipulation, navigation, machine learning, vision, and more.
Check out some of my work on my portfolio at https://avazahedi.github.io !