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About Me

Hello! My name is Alec Norton and I am a junior at Worcester Polytechnic Institute studying Robotics Engineering and Computer Science. I’m interested in researching Artificial Intelligence and robotics with a focus on interaction with the environment and humans. Please take a look at past projects and future goals!

Resume

arnorton@wpi.edu 

EDUCATION

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester, MA Graduation Date: May 2026

Robotics Engineering and Computer Science, GPA 3.83

Dimond High School, Anchorage, Alaska

High School Diploma, GPA 3.9 Graduation Date: May 2022

Related Courses: 

Embedded Systems Introduction to Robotics

Unified Robotics I Systems Programming Concepts

Physics: Electricity and Magnetism Foundations of Computer Science

SKILLS

Lab Techniques/Programming/Operating: Proficient in soldering, wiring, machine tools, 3D printing, Google Suite, and project management. 

Applications/Software: Proficient in Java, Python, C++, C, Fusion 360 and Solidworks. 

PROJECTS

VR Haptic-Glove FORW-RD Lab, Worcester, MA, WPI November 2023 – Present

  • Developed software in Unity to display multiple camera streams to an HTC VIVE headset.
  • Integrated ROS into Unity to rotate a camera with servos based on the user’s headset’s position.
  • Used object recognition to display bounding boxes on notable items over the streamed camera footage for better use and accessibility. 

EXPERIENCE

STAR Program Fellow, HCI Lab WPI, Worcester, MA June 2024 – August 2024

  • Validated a deep-learning algorithm inspired by the nervous system of the C. Elegans worm.
  • Developed a research proposal and shared my findings at a symposium. 

Research Project Worker, FORW-RD Lab WPI, Worcester, MA               November 2023 – Current

  • Integrated a Unity Virtual Reality environment for teleoperation of a robotic arm using a haptic glove as control.
  • Programmed user input to switch between multiple camera feeds in the VR environment so the user can have an enhanced sense of depth perception. 
  • Integrating ROS and artificial intelligence into the environment for enhanced interfacing with the camera feed. 

Lab Assistant, Learning Science and Technologies Lab (LST) WPI, Worcester, MA               August 2023 – Current

  • Organized and entered data from research grants, proposals, and finished papers for the lab.
  • Managed and updated multiple websites. Cleaned and kept the lab orderly for the undergraduate and graduate students that work in the lab.