How to become a Self-Driving Car Engineer in 2023 - What's AI Podcast Episode 8
Apr 11, 2023
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In this podcast, Louis Bouchard interviews Jérémy Cohen, founder and CEO of Think Autonomous. They discuss the self-driving car industry, ML-related roles, and how to break into the industry. They touch on topics such as LIDAR technology, salary expectations, the value of online course certificates, challenges of finding self-driving car companies, and the importance of computer vision in the field.
Specializing in self-driving car engineering allows for advanced skills development and opens up opportunities in other industries.
Telling your story and showcasing practical projects during job interviews is more effective than relying solely on course certifications.
Online course certificates hold little value; focus on building real-world projects to demonstrate practical skills.
Finding opportunities in the self-driving car field is possible through remote work, networking, and being open to related industries.
Deep dives
The importance of specialization in the self-driving car field
Specializing in self-driving car engineering is valuable because it allows you to focus on developing advanced skills in computer vision, motion planning, and other relevant areas. While some may argue that being too specialized limits your opportunities, the skills you gain in self-driving cars can be transferable to other industries such as healthcare or robotics. Specializing in a specific field showcases your passion and commitment, and can lead to higher salaries and job opportunities.
The impact of storytelling in job interviews
During job interviews, telling your story and showcasing your projects is more effective than simply listing course certifications. Recruiters want to hear about your experiences and the problems you've solved. Demonstrating your skills through portfolio projects and sharing tangible results sets you apart from other candidates and helps recruiters envision how you can contribute to their company. Building a narrative and engaging in storytelling creates a lasting impression and enhances your chances of getting hired.
The value of online course certificates
Online course certificates hold little value in the job market. Most companies do not recognize or prioritize these certificates, especially after the proliferation of online learning platforms. Instead of relying on certificates alone, focus on building real-world projects and developing practical skills. Companies are more interested in your ability to apply your knowledge effectively rather than whether you have a certificate. Showcasing your work through a portfolio and being able to discuss your projects in depth during interviews carries more weight.
Overcoming location barriers in the self-driving car industry
Finding opportunities in the self-driving car field can be challenging, especially in locations where there are limited companies or infrastructure. However, with the rise of remote work and global networks, it's possible to find opportunities from anywhere in the world. Whether you decide to relocate to areas with more opportunities or work remotely, showcasing your skills, networking, and being open to related industries such as robotics or computer vision can help you land fulfilling jobs in the field.
The role of higher education in self-driving car engineering
Higher education, particularly at the master's degree level, is highly recommended for those looking to enter the self-driving car field. While not necessary for all positions, a master's degree provides you with a more in-depth understanding of the field and demonstrates your commitment to learning and specialization. In some cases, companies prefer candidates with advanced degrees as it indicates a higher level of expertise and can open up more opportunities for growth within the company.
The importance of projects and storytelling in career advancement
Having advanced skills and projects in your resume is more important than focusing on diplomas or formal education. Companies often prioritize candidates who can showcase their ability to solve real-world problems and demonstrate their practical skills. By working on projects that can be shared online, such as videos or blog posts, you can effectively market your abilities and attract potential employers.
The current state and future of self-driving cars
The self-driving car industry is currently facing challenges due to the hype cycle and funding constraints. While autonomous driving technology is progressing, the widespread adoption of fully autonomous vehicles is not expected in the next five years. The sector is experiencing fluctuations in job openings, and many companies may face financial difficulties or even shut down. Additionally, governmental regulations and public trust regarding safety and ethical concerns pose significant hurdles. Gradual advancements, both in advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous shuttles, are expected city by city rather than a rapid global shift.
An interview with Jérémy Cohen, founder and CEO of Think Autonomous. In this interview, we dive into the self-driving car industry and different ML-related roles. We talk about getting into the industry and trying to demystify some myths. We hope you enjoy this episode! Let me know your thoughts in the comments and if you'd like more episodes with Jérémy in the self-driving car industry!
References:
►Visit Jeremy's platform, Think Autonomous: https://www.thinkautonomous.ai/private-emails-louis/
►Jérémy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremycohen2626/
►The mentioned Zoox mindmap: https://www.thinkautonomous.ai/blog/zoox-careers
►Jeremy's Self-Driving Car Course: https://courses.thinkautonomous.ai/self-driving-cars
►His Course Catalogue: https://courses.thinkautonomous.ai
►My Newsletter (A new AI application explained weekly to your emails!): https://www.louisbouchard.ai/newsletter/
►Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whatsai
►Support me through wearing Merch: https://whatsai.myshopify.com/
►Join Our AI Discord: https://discord.gg/learnaitogether
How to start in AI/ML - A Complete Guide:
►https://www.louisbouchard.ai/learnai/
Become a member of the YouTube community, support my work and get a cool Discord role :
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUzGQrN-lyyc0BWTYoJM_Sg/join
Chapters:
00:45 Who are you and what’s your background?
04:18 How can one become a self-driving car engineer?
14:08 What is a self-driving car engineer?
21:50 Would you recommend working in a specific self-driving engineering role at a big company or working at a startup doing several other tasks as well?
23:18 Could you explain what LiDAR is and how it works?
28:40 Do you think we are far from having self-driving cars on the road when there is heavy rain or snow?
30:45 What do you think about using LiDAR vs cameras on self-driving cars?
34:48 How many new state-of-the-art models are being used in the self-driving car industry?
39:33 Do you think aiming for a self-driving car engineer is aiming to be too specialized?
46:06 Do you think Transformers are replacing CNN’s?
48:45 Do you think a $200 000 salary for a computer vision engineer is a myth?
56:25 What do you think of the value of a certificate for an online course?
01:03:53 Is Silicon Valley the only place where you can work as a self-driving car engineer?
01:08:38 What education level and work experience is needed to get into the self/driving engineering field?
01:15:24 How can someone improve their skills?
01:17:59 Do you have a transformer course for computer vision engineers?
01:21:33 What are some things to avoid if trying to join self-driving engineering?
01:22:45 Any mistakes to avoid when joining the field of self-driving?
01:29:31 Is the driving part based on reinforcement learning or still a classical planning algorithm?
01:33:25 How do you see self-driving cars in 5 years?
01:38:17 Do you think the government, politics, permissions, etc. are gonna interfere?
01:41:45 Is it the government’s duty to ensure protection for people using self-driving cars or is it engineers' responsibility?
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