Keynote Speeches

Dr. Avinash Balachandran is the director of the Human Interactive Driving (HID) division at Toyota Research Institute (TRI). The goal of the HID division is to create AI-driven capabilities and tools empowering humans and increasingly automated vehicles to interact more effectively and naturally. The department blends competencies in machine learning, human-machine interaction and robotics to create novel and innovative technologies for the intelligent vehicles of the future.

Prior to TRI, Dr. Balachandran was one of the early engineers on Uber's self-driving program and was instrumental in developing their first autonomous service in Pittsburgh, PA (2016). He also led engineering teams focused on autonomous driving development at EV startup Faraday Future. He is passionate about bringing cutting-edge research closer to commercialization. He is also a noted public speaker, expert and adviser on topics around autonomy and human-centric research.

Dr. Balachandran holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a minor in computer science from Cornell University. He also holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from Stanford University focusing on autonomous technologies, performance driving and human interaction. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Stanford Graduate Fellowship.

Mr. Hayashi was born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1976, and in 2001 and was hired by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) as a technical officer. At the MLIT, He was engaged in the creation of automobile regulations, Type Approval, Car inspections, recalls, etc. He have been in Director of Policy Planning Office for Automated Driving Technology, Road Trasport Bureau, MLIT since July 1, 2023.

Mr. Masamitsu WAGA has been Director of ITS Policy and Program Office, Road Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) since April 2022.
He started working at Ministry of Construction (currently MLIT) in 1997.
Recent work experience before his current position ranges from urban environment policy and bicycle use promotion.