Toshinobu Watanabe

Toshinobu Watanabe, Ph.D. has had a varied and extensive work experience. Toshinobu started their career as a Software and Research Engineer at Komatsu Ltd., where they played a key role in developing the development platform for all controllers in the company's products. Toshinobu then joined the Ministry of Defense (Japan) as a Research Engineer, where they worked on unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and managed a test team.

In 2011, Watanabe became a Research Engineer and Project Manager at the Ministry of Defence of Japan, where they set up and managed a flight test team. Toshinobu also worked on solving initial problems and oversaw performance and airload issues.

Watanabe then transitioned to the Ministry of Defense (Japan) in 2017, where they held multiple roles. As a Senior Research Engineer, they were responsible for developing Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and route design technology for unmanned aerial vehicles. Toshinobu also served as a Deputy Project Manager for aircraft sales, negotiating with different countries for the overseas sales of transport machines and patrol aircraft. Additionally, they negotiated with the United States to introduce Japan's first unmanned aerial vehicle and obtained type certification.

In 2019, Watanabe joined the Toyota Research Institute - Advanced Development as a Lead of the Marionette Project and Staff Engineer. Toshinobu also served as the Lead and Tech lead of Guardian, working on various projects related to autonomous driving.

In 2021, Watanabe joined Woven Planet Holdings as the Head of the teleoperation project, where they developed the vision, concept, and architecture for the project and built and managed the team.

Most recently, Watanabe joined Honda Motor Co., Ltd. as the Chief Engineer, where they oversee engineering projects.

Throughout their career, Watanabe has showcased expertise in areas such as software development, unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous driving, and project management.

Toshinobu Watanabe, Ph.D., completed their education in a chronological manner. Toshinobu first attended Tohoku University from 1997 to 2003, where they obtained a Master of Science (MS) degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering.

In 2014, Watanabe enrolled at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Toshinobu earned a MOT (Management of Technology) certificate from Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business from 2014 to 2017. During this time, they also pursued their Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, completing it in 2018. Additionally, in 2017, they earned a Master of Science (MS) degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Watanabe further enhanced their qualifications with various certifications. In 2019, they obtained the following certifications: Functional Safety (Practitioners) from Toyota Motor Corporation, and Licensed Scrum Master from Scrum Inc. In 2020, they obtained certifications in Functional Safety (Assessor) from DNV GL and OKR Education (TRI-AD Internal) from TRI-AD Internal. Lastly, in 2017, they gained the Management of Technology certification from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

It is important to note that there is an additional certification listed, which is "Operator of construction machinery." However, there is no information provided regarding the institution or the date when this certification was obtained.