Pranav Shukla
Robotics Engineer & AI Researcher specializing in Embodied AI, Reinforcement Learning, and Mechatronics.
I focus on bridging the gap between advanced artificial intelligence and physical robotic execution. My recent work at the GRAIL Lab (NYU Courant) and FAMS NYU involves developing cutting-edge frameworks for Embodied AI, multi-robot coordination, and sim-to-real reinforcement learning. My expertise lies in zero-shot LLM/VLM-driven control systems, bimanual teleoperation, robust optimal control (MPC/SQP), and designing custom hardware solutions like stabilized 3D LiDARs and multi-axis mobile manipulators.
Professional Experience
Researcher
GRAIL Lab | NYU Center for Data Science (CDS), NYU Courant
- Enhanced Behavioral Cloning model (VqBET) performance via Residual Reinforcement learning and Iterative finetuning and implementing action chunking.
Research Assistant & Graduate Adjunct
MCRL & Automatic Control Lab | NYU Tandon
- Developed Mobile Manipulation frameworks using VLM/LLM based planning, scheduling, and command interpretation.
- Instructed ME-UY 3411: Experiments in data acquisition, PID & LQR controls, and system analysis on MATLAB/Simulink.
Data Analyst & Data Science Intern
Axis Bank | Business Intelligence Unit
- Developed pre-qualified banking product strategies leveraging customer demographic and credit data using Big Data, SAS, and CICD frameworks; managed monthly releases and automation.
- Ran simulations to identify DB enhancements and coordinated implementation with Business, DE, DS, and Risk teams.
- Implemented and validated 3 ML models (DT, MLP, Random Forest) for credit prediction, optimized for biased datasets.
Embedded Team Head
Swarm Robotics Research Group | IIT Kharagpur
- Led the embedded team developing hardware stacks and control systems for vision-based swarm-bots (ROS, Arduino).
- Managed a budget of ~$20,000 USD, overseeing procurement, logistics, and deployment.
Education
New York University (NYU) Tandon School of Engineering
M.S. in Mechatronics and Robotics
May 2026 (Est.) | New York, NY
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur
B.Tech and M.Tech (Dual Degree) in Structural Engineering
Minor: Computer Science and Engineering | Micro-Specialization: Embedded Control, Software and Design
2017 - 2022 | Kharagpur, India
Skills & Expertise
Languages
Python, C++, C, Bash, SQL, VBA, JavaScript, APL, XML
ML & AI
PyTorch, TensorFlow, RL, Behavioral Cloning, Gemini, VLA, Moondream, OpenAI API, Ollama, CrewAI, ACT, GROOT, Diffusion, HPC, Generative AI
Robotics & CV
ROS, LeRobot, SLAM, VIO, MPPI, A*, RANSAC, Kalman Filter, OpenCV, MAVROS
Hardware & Platforms
Mechatronics, Arduino, RPi, ESP32, Linux, Gazebo, MATLAB, Simulink, Solidworks, GCP
Extracurricular Leadership & Teaching
- Instructor for Summer Program (NYU Tandon): Instructed SPARC, Summer program for robotics and automation under the NYU Tandon K12 Stem Education Program.
- Teaching Assistant (NYU Tandon): TA for Advanced Mechatronics under Professor V. Kapila.
- Teaching Assistant (IIT Kharagpur): Monte Carlo Simulations; Construction Planning & Management.
- Governor, Technology Literary Society: Led a society of 80+ students; Editor of campus magazine Alankar.
- Captain, Product Design Team: Led hall team for the Technology General Championship (2019-20).
- Volunteer, National Service Scheme: Conducted village camps, surveys, and donation drives.