Yosuke Saka

Robotics & AI for Railway Infrastructure | Machine Vision | High-Speed Inspection Systems | Purdue University | Central Japan Railway Company

Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Area

About

🚩 About I am an engineer bridging advanced robotics and AI with large-scale railway infrastructure. Over the past eight years at Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), I have led the integration of machine learning, stereo vision, and automated inspection systems into high-speed railway operations. I contributed to the development of Japan’s first onboard inspection systems capable of operating at 300 km/h, reducing annual maintenance costs by over $2.3M while improving operational safety and inspection frequency. My work focuses on translating cutting-edge technologies into robust, field-deployable systems for mission-critical infrastructure. 🚩 Core strengths • Technology integration: Applying robotics, computer vision, and AI to real-world infrastructure environments • High-speed inspection systems: Development of AI-driven vision systems for Shinkansen operations • Project leadership: Managed cross-functional teams of engineers to deliver seven innovation projects • Operational impact: Achieved measurable cost reduction and safety improvements in nationwide railway systems Currently, I am pursuing an MS in Robotics at Purdue University to further advance intelligent automation for infrastructure construction and maintenance, aiming to address long-term labor shortages and enhance system resilience. I am particularly interested in infrastructure robotics, autonomous inspection, and large-scale system integration where advanced technologies meet real operational constraints.

Experience

  • Central Japan Railway Company (9 yrs 3 mos)
    • Team Lead
      May 2026 - Present · 2 mos

      Team Lead, Overhead Line (Power Supply), Electrical Department

    • Sponsored Student by Central Japan Railway Company
      Jul 2024 - May 2026 · 1 yr 11 mos

      Sponsored by Central Japan Railway Company to advance expertise in robotics and intelligent automation. • Focusing on imitation learning, motion planning, machine learning, and computer vision for infrastructure applications • Conducting research on robotic perception systems applicable to construction and inspection environments

    • Assistant Manager of Electrical Engineer
      Jul 2023 - Jun 2024 · 1 yr

      Led a team of eight engineers responsible for electrical power maintenance and construction planning for Shinkansen operations. • Oversaw maintenance strategy and reliability planning for mission-critical railway power systems • Improved equipment configuration to enhance maintainability while preserving system performance • Coordinated cross-department technical planning within a 25-member division Focus: Infrastructure reliability, technical leadership, large-scale system coordination

  • Graduate Student Researcher at Purdue University
    Sep 2025 - May 2026 · 9 mos

    https://www.purduemars.com/