Featured Ai2er: Kiana Ehsani

Oh well, where to begin? It all started in 6th grade when I had an incredible computer science teacher. We had the option to choose an elective course each semester, and in 6th grade I chose computer programming. After the semester ended, I was convinced I wasn't very good at it, so I chose a different elective for the next semester. But then, my teacher reached out to me in an email asking why I wasn't continuing with programming and convinced me I was actually good at it! Fast forward 19 years and I'm still coding, and now I have finally embraced the fact that I am good at it. But I have to give credit to the supportive mentors in my life, who have helped me combat my doubts and given me the confidence to keep pursuing my passions in computer science.

Creating a robot that can handle real-world environments with ease has been the highlight of the past few months. Despite the efforts of the research community to develop robots that can navigate indoors robustly, previous attempts have fallen short of what we needed. But, we recently made a breakthrough and came up with an exciting new approach that led to the creation of navigation agents that are robust and scalable to any environment. Testing the robot in my own home and watching it perform tasks was an unforgettable moment for me.

Pushing the boundaries of indoor robotics to bring it closer to deployment in the real world is a goal we are eagerly working towards. While there is still a lot of work to be done, I am incredibly excited about our team and the projects we are working on. It is always amazing to see our hard work pay off, and we are eager to see what the future holds for us.

Recognizing that every researcher experiences the ups and downs of the research journey in their own unique way was a valuable lesson for me. I learned that the path to discovery is not always straightforward and that challenges are just part of the process. With this in mind, I approach my own research with a positive attitude, knowing that setbacks offer opportunities for growth and that success is achieved through determination and hard work. One important strategy that has helped me along the way is seeking help when I need it. There have been two times in my career when I felt stuck and uncertain. In those moments, I reached out to two amazing researchers in my field whom I admire. A brief conversation with them gave me the support I needed to regain my confidence and get back on track. I am grateful for their guidance and encouragement.

Sailing on Lake Union! If you inquire with people about their preferred sailing destination in Washington, they will all say Puget Sound. However, I personally believe that Lake Union is an underrated spot. The breathtaking views of Seattle's skyline and Gasworks Park from the lake are truly amazing.

Ice climbing! 😁