Hi, my name is
Syed Usama Bin Sabir
Robotic & Autonomous Systems Engineer
PhD researcher at Cornell University specializing in robotic and autonomous systems. I build robust, real-world robotic systems for agricultural field and industrial environments.
About Me
I am a PhD researcher at Cornell University specializing in robotic and autonomous systems, with applications spanning agriculture, robotics, and automation.
My expertise includes ROS2-based system integration, computer vision, sensor perception & fusion, and mechatronics system design. I focus on building robust, real-world robotic systems for both agricultural field and industrial environments.
I'm passionate about bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications, creating solutions that make a real impact in agriculture and beyond.
ROS2 Integration
Expert in ROS2-based system integration for autonomous robotic platforms
Computer Vision
Advanced perception systems using state-of-the-art vision algorithms
Mechatronics
End-to-end mechatronics system design from concept to deployment
Agricultural Automation
Specialized in robotic solutions for agricultural field operations
Ask Me
Expertise
Robotics & Automation
- ROS2 / ROS
- Motion Planning
- SLAM
- Sensor Fusion
- Path Planning
- Control Systems
Perception
- Computer Vision
- LiDAR Processing
- Point Cloud Analysis
- Object Detection
- Depth Estimation
- Image Segmentation
Programming
- Python
- C++
- MATLAB
- Simulink
- Linux
- Git
Hardware
- Embedded Systems
- Microcontrollers
- CAD Design
- 3D Printing
- PCB Design
- Actuators & Sensors
Projects
Scope
My projects fall across mechatronics system design, robotic manipulation, autonomous driving, product-oriented robotics, and autonomous aerial vehicles, with an emphasis on integrated, real-world robotic systems. This work spans the full development stack, including mechanical and electromechanical design, embedded systems, sensing and perception, control, and autonomy. The projects emphasize practical implementation, system robustness, and deployability, bridging research-driven innovation with product-level engineering for field and industrial environments.
Awards & Achievements
Excellence in Small Farms Technology Award
Farm Robotics Challenge (GOFAR: AgRobotics Accelerator | FIRA & GOFAR Tour 2024, Sacramento)
Awarded to our team at the Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS), Washington State University, supervised by Dr. Manoj Karkee, for developing an autonomous bin-hauling robot on the farm-ng platform for small-farm operations. Recognized for bridging prototype to commercialization, marking the first award for Washington State University at this challenge.
Poster Presentation Award - 2nd Position
Honouring Undergraduates and Graduate Students Symposium (HUGSS) by Heritage University, WA
Got 2nd position in Poster Presentation on my research project of robotic apple harvesting.
Best Presentation Award
International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Mechatronic Systems (AIMS), Indonesia - April 2021
Recognized for delivering one of the best technical presentations among international research contributions.
Inspiration Award - FLL'19 Instructor
First Lego League, Izmir, Turkey - February 2019
Awarded for mentoring a team of elementary and middle school students in the First Lego League; the team advanced through national qualifiers and ranked 2nd in the finals.
Vice Chancellor's Recognition Award
Air University - January 2020
Granted to students for outstanding contributions in co-curricular activities that enhance the university's positive image; represented the university on 15+ national and international platforms.
Outreach & Leadership
Beyond my research and industry work, I actively engage in technical outreach, mentorship, and hands-on workshops aimed at making robotics, automation, and AI accessible to students across diverse backgrounds.
Technical Workshops & Training
Hands-On Home Automation Workshop
Undergraduate Level
Conducted a 5-hour intensive workshop for undergraduate students from both STEM and non-STEM disciplines, guiding participants through the design and implementation of a functional home automation system. The workshop emphasized system integration, basic electronics, and practical automation workflows.
Arduino & Robotics Workshop
K-6 Students
Delivered a 10-day hands-on workshop (2 hours/day) for students in grade 6 and below, introducing foundational robotics concepts. Participants integrated basic sensors (IR, ultrasonic), motor controllers, and microcontrollers to build and operate a small mobile robot, fostering early interest in engineering and problem-solving.
Computer Vision & AI Workshops
Applied Computer Vision Workshop
Final-Year Undergraduates
Led a hands-on workshop on computer vision and deep learning, where students trained, tested, and deployed a real-time object detection and segmentation pipeline using YOLOv11. The final system was deployed on a Jetson Orin NX using an Intel RealSense D415, enabling real-time bottle detection and sorting based on segmentation masks. The workshop emphasized end-to-end AI system deployment rather than theoretical concepts alone.
Academic & Career Mentorship
Graduate Studies & Research Career Workshop
Aspiring Graduate Students
Conducted a structured workshop focused on pursuing graduate studies in the United States. Topics included identifying suitable universities, contacting faculty effectively, preparing competitive CVs and cover letters, research alignment strategies, and an overview of student visa pathways. The workshop was designed to provide practical guidance based on firsthand academic and research experience.
Get In Touch
I'm currently open to new opportunities and collaborations. Whether you have a question about robotics, want to discuss a project, or just want to say hi, feel free to reach out!