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Varun Kotian

Ph.D. Candidate
Delft University of Technology
[email protected]


About Me

Experienced researcher and engineer with expertise in vehicle dynamics, motion perception, and robotics.
Specializing in large-scale human experimentation and modelling human responses.
Excited about improving automated driving systems and enhancing user experiences.
My passion for climbing mountains reflects my qualities as it demands —
patience for the ascent, respect for nature, and integrity in overcoming challenges.
Looking forward to collaborating with others to innovate and make a meaningful impact.

Research Interests

Skills

  • Human Experiments
  • Vehicle Experiments
  • VR Experiments
  • Experiment Design
  • Physiological Sensors
  • User Research
  • Modelling
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Control Design
  • PCB Design
  • Embedded Systems
  • Soldering (Hand & Reflow)
  • CAD & CAE
  • CNC & Lathe
  • 3D Printing
  • Solidworks
  • ANSYS
  • MATLAB
  • Simulink
  • Python
  • C
  • C++
  • IPG Carmaker
  • ROS 2
  • JavaScript
  • Latex
  • Networking (P2P & VPN)
  • Server Management
  • AWS Lamda
  • Docker
  • Git

Education

  1. PhD Candidate (2021 - Present)

    Department of Cognitive Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology

  2. MSc Vehicle Engineering (2019 - 2021)

    Mechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology

  3. BTech Mechanical Engineering (2014 - 2018)

    K.J. Somaiya College of Engineering

Experience

  1. Visiting Reseracher (2024 - 2024)

    Human Robotics Lab, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara

  2. Visiting Reseracher (2022 - 2023)

    Toyota Motor Europe, Zaventum

  3. Vehicle Dynamics Engineer (2020 - 2021)

    Nova Electric Racing, D:DREAM Team at TU Delft, Delft

  4. Trainee on CNC Machining (2019 - 2019)

    Industrial area Kandivili, Mumbai

  5. Trainee on Tool Management (2016 - 2016)

    Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd., Mumbai

  6. Intern on Planning and analysis of the Fire and Safety system in the College (2016 - 2016)

    under Dr. Andrew Hunter, K.J. Somaiya College of Engineering, Mumbai

  7. Aerodynamics Head & Assistant Technical Coordinator (2017 - 2018)

    Orion Racing India, Formula Student Team (FSAE) of K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering.

  8. Aerodynamics Engineer (2015 - 2016)

    Orion Racing India, Formula Student Team (FSAE) of K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering.

Equipment and Technology Experience

  1. SIMONA Research Simulator
    Used during the experiment for the MSc Thesis
    Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, TU Delft, 2021.

  2. Mind Media Nexus
    Used multiple times during the MSc and PhD to measure skin conductance variance under motion stimuls
    Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, TU Delft, 2021-2023.

  3. Toyota Prius Instrumented Vehicle
    Used in a GPS path following mode (psudo-autonomous mode) using steering and pedal robots for an experiment during the PhD
    Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, TU Delft, 2023.

  4. OptiTrack Motion Capture System
    Used in an experiment during the PhD to measure head and upper body motion non-intrusively
    Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, TU Delft, 2023.

  5. XSens Motion Capture Suit
    Used in an experiment during the PhD to measure head and full body motion during a sickening drive
    Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, TU Delft, 2023.

  6. 6DOF Motion Platform
    Used in an experiment during the PhD to measure subjective human response to pitch stimuli
    Human Robotics Lab, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 2024.

  7. DAVSi Vehicle Simulator
    Used in an experiment during the PhD to quantify the ability of our motion cueing algorithm to manipulate motion sickness levels
    Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, TU Delft, 2025.

  8. Microsoft Kinect
    Used in an experiment during the PhD to measure head motion non-intrusively
    Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, TU Delft, 2025.

  9. XSens DOT
    Used in an experiment during the PhD to measure head motion
    Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, TU Delft, 2025.

  10. FSAE Cars
    Build and tested FSAE race car for competitions in India, Germany and Hundgary
    K.J. Somiaya COllege of Engineering, 2018.

Publications

  1. Personalising Motion Sickness Models - Estimation and Statistical Modeling of Individual-Specific Parameters FNSYS
    Personalising Motion Sickness Models - Estimation and Statistical Modeling of Individual-Specific Parameters
    Varun Kotian, Daan Pool, Riender Happee
    Frontiers in systems neuroscience, 2025.
    PDF BibTex

  2. The role of vision in sensory integration models for predicting motion perception and sickness EBR
    The role of vision in sensory integration models for predicting motion perception and sickness
    Varun Kotian, Tugrul Irmak, Daan Pool, Riender Happee
    Experimental Brain Research, 2024.
    PDF BibTex

  3. Neck stabilization through sensory integration of vestibular and visual motion cues FNEUR
    Neck stabilization through sensory integration of vestibular and visual motion cues
    Riender Happee, Varun Kotian, Ksander N De Winkel
    Frontiers in Neurology, 2023.
    PDF BibTex

  4. Modelling individual motion sickness accumulation in vehicles and driving simulators DSC
    Modelling individual motion sickness accumulation in vehicles and driving simulators
    Varun Kotian, Daan M Pool, Riender Happee
    Driving Simulation Conference, 2023.
    PDF BibTex

  5. A novel experiment to unravel fundamental questions about postural stability and motion comfort in automated vehicles ICC
    A novel experiment to unravel fundamental questions about postural stability and motion comfort in automated vehicles
    Georgios Papaioannou, Marko Cvetkovic, Chrysovalanto Messiou, Varun Kotian, Barys Shyrokau, Riender Happee
    International Comfort Congress, 2023.
    PDF BibTex

  6. Amplitude and Temporal Dynamics of Motion Sickness FNSYS
    Amplitude and Temporal Dynamics of Motion Sickness
    Tugrul Irmak*, Varun Kotian*, Riender Happee, Ksander De Winkel, Daan Pool (*Shared first authors)
    Frontiers in systems neuroscience, 2022.
    PDF BibTex

  7. Relating individual motion sickness levels to subjective discomfort ratings EBR
    Relating individual motion sickness levels to subjective discomfort ratings
    Ksander De Winkel, Tugrul Irmak, Varun Kotian, Riender Happee, Daan M Pool
    Experimental Brain Research, 2022.
    PDF BibTex

  8. Amplitude Dynamics of Motion Sickness MSc Thesis
    Amplitude Dynamics of Motion Sickness
    Varun Kotian
    Master's Thesis at TU Delft, 2021.
    PDF BibTex


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