Yash Turkar

University at Buffalo, State University of New York

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Yash Turkar is a robotics researcher specializing in autonomous systems for heavy machinery, with a particular focus on terrain excavation. His work addresses the fundamental challenges of developing autonomy for excavators, which must navigate complex physical interactions and high-dimensional operational degrees of freedom in unstructured environments. Turkar’s most significant contribution is the development of TERA (Terrain Excavation Robot Autonomy), a simulation environment that enables researchers to build and test autonomous excavation algorithms without the logistical and financial burdens of physical experimentation. This platform has already garnered 2 citations since its 2025 publication, signaling its early impact in the field. By providing a realistic, scalable testbed, Turkar’s work accelerates progress toward fully autonomous excavation systems, with potential applications in construction, mining, and disaster response. His research bridges the gap between simulation and real-world deployment, making him a notable emerging voice in field robotics and autonomous manipulation.