Kevin Karol

Software Engineer, Robot Behaviors @ Sunday

About

Robotic systems require custom, interactive, iteration focused tools for user experience design, user testing and interaction development. Combining experience with small robots (Anki's Cozmo and Vector), big robots (Zoox's autonomous vehicles) and a deep background in both computer science and theatrical direction, my work is focused on improving HCI in production environments.

Country

United States

City

San Francisco Bay Area

Industry

Information Technology & Services

Skill

Java, HTML, Programming, Public Speaking, Python, Leadership, JavaScript, Photoshop, Video Editing, C, C++, CSS, Web Development, Software Development, Project Management, iOS Development, Android Development

Experience

Software Engineer, Robot Behaviors

Sunday

2026-5 - Present · 4 mos

Redwood City, CA

Building the next generation of home robots.

Owner

Crossed Wires Studio L.L.C.

2025-2 - Present · 1 yr 7 mos

Crossed Wires Studio is a Somerville-based theater company focused on new works that defy theatrical conventions.

Applied Scientist

RAI Institute

2023-6 - 2026-4 · 2 yrs 11 mos

Cambridge, MA

Solving the most important and fundamental challenges in AI and Robotics to enable future generations of intelligent machines that will help us all live better lives.

Software Engineer (Human Robot Interaction)

Google

2022-9 - 2023-3 · 7 mos

San Francisco Bay Area

Developing novel approaches to Human Robot Interaction as a software engineer on a cross functional research team including exploring the intersection of Large Language Models and Robotics.

Creative Technologist: Experience Prototyping

Zoox

2019-10 - 2022-8 · 2 yrs 11 mos

- Established and lead new experience prototyping capability and worked with executive leadership to refine Zoox’s research/design for rider and pedestrian interactions - Served as a bridge between software, firmware, vehicle engineering, QA, homologation, and design to enable iterative design on highly technical systems - Designed and delivered user research prototypes of multi-modal interactions working with cross-functional team - Gathered requirements, organized tests, and presented to cross-functional stakeholders to enable public road testing of new pedestrian interactions

Software Engineer

Zoox

2018-8 - 2019-10 · 1 yr 3 mos

Artistic Director

SEI Theater

2017-1 - 2019-8 · 2 yrs 8 mos

Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Anki

2016-6 - 2018-8 · 2 yrs 3 mos

San Francisco

- Worked with animators and game designers to design robot behaviors spanning games, relationship building and passive autonomy - Redesigned high level AI to enable rapid design iteration - Shipped monthly updates with new interactions based on user testing and user engagement online