At the heart of my journey lies an unyielding passion for harnessing systems thinking and innovation to enact genuine change. My goal has always been clear-cut: to create a lasting impact for the betterment of our ever-evolving world. Though my professional journey might seem brief, it brims with dedication to redefining boundaries and leading pivotal shifts, especially in the realms of systems engineering and innovation.
I am playing a pivotal role in reshaping systems engineering practices at Continental Automotive, showcasing both my expertise and leadership. Moreover, I became the youngest systems engineering trainer in 2024, an achievement many professionals take decades to attain. However, my focus extends beyond accolades. As a Technical Project Lead, I prioritize the end-user and guide dynamic teams to groundbreaking results, always driving for innovations with real-world significance.
Early Life
My journey began in the remote village of Kala Limbala in southern India. Life there was a stark contrast to the modern world, with days filled with the simplicity of tending to family cattle, walking to school with my mother and younger brother, and evenings listening to ancestral tales under the mango trees. However, the absence of basic necessities that many take for granted elsewhere, such as electricity, phones, and access to hospitals or high schools, was always apparent. These early experiences shaped my worldview, teaching me to prioritize necessities over luxuries, to invest effort where it makes a significant difference, and to value deep-rooted change over fleeting comforts.
Another formative influence was my mother’s unwavering belief in the power of reading. Through our daily reading rituals, she ignited our imaginations and instilled a profound respect for knowledge and its capacity to transform. Reading also encouraged me to embrace diverse viewpoints, urging me to holistically understand issues before diving into problem-solving. It was during these times that the systems thinker in me emerged.
Education Life
Education isn’t merely a phase; it’s a transformative process, a journey. It’s where we sculpt our mental models under expert guidance, within a safe environment. We venture to answer the profound questions: Who are we? How do we perceive our world and its intricacies? How can we positively influence it? More importantly, how do we continually refine and evolve our understandings?
Upon realizing the importance of structured learning, my parents transitioned from the village to Nashik, focusing on the brighter educational prospects for their children. Since then, my life has been a whirlwind of moves, each step offering a unique perspective.
Early Education: The Playground of Life
High school, for me, was shaped and defined by sports. Whether it was clinching national medals in judo or leading the cricket team as the vice-captain, each triumph and setback taught me invaluable life lessons. The virtues of hard work, perseverance, collaboration, resilience, and the drive to overcome challenges were ingrained in me. Concurrently, I undertook the role of the principal judo instructor for a non-profit organization. This was my inaugural foray into leadership, where I honed my abilities to mentor the next generation, inspire excellence, and revel in the joy of their achievements.
The next phase saw me migrate to Mumbai, securing a seat at the esteemed K J Somaiya College of Mumbai University. Here, my engineering journey was less about circuits and codes and more an introspective quest. Juggling academic pressures with top-tier judo performances, I grappled with life’s equilibrium. It was during this period that my horizons broadened. The realization dawned that there was a vast world beyond the confines of my village, beckoning with its myriad opportunities. With a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering in hand, I set my sights on Japan for further studies.
Higher Education: Unveiling a World Beyond
In Japan, at Keio University, I pursued my MSc in Systems Engineering, followed by a PhD in Systems Design and Management. This wasn’t just an academic expedition; it was my initiation into global perspectives. Japan enriched me with experiences I’d never have encountered had I remained within my comfort zone. Over time, I’ll delve deeper into these insights in my journals (link), but for now, here are a few milestones from this transformative journey…
- In 2014, demonstrated exceptional research potential by winning the Goldman Sachs Scholars Fund scholarship for academic excellence, backed by a standout research proposal and outstanding academic records.
- In 2015, honed and showcased premier collaborative skills in entrepreneurship through participation in the Global Entrepreneur Initiative (GEI) by MEXT, working alongside an exceptional international team of innovators.
- In 2015, cultivated and exhibited exemplary leadership by spearheading a team at the Keio EDGE Global Innovator Forum Autumn 2015.
- In 2015-2016, underscored world-class research prowess by clinching the MEXT Top Global Scholarship for research excellence, a prestigious honor bestowed by the Japanese government.
- In 2016, achieved distinction in the field by securing the Most Innovative Research Award and successfully completing a Masters of Systems Engineering at Keio University.
- In 2016-2020, manifested top-tier research capability by winning the MEXT Top Global Scholarship for PhD studies, a distinguished accolade from the Japanese government.
- In 2018, enriched collaborative leadership skills and project expertise by guiding a triumphant team of 5 career professionals in the Keio University Business School’s Grand Design project.
- In 2020, accomplished an academic zenith by graduating with a PhD in Systems Design and Management from Keio University.
Publications:
[8] Brar, A. S., Kasture, P., & Su, R. (2022, October). Supply-Demand Balancing Model for EV Rental Fleet. In 2022 IEEE 25th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSC) (pp. 1350-1355). IEEE.
[7] Kasture, P., & Nishimura, H. (2021). Analysis of Cooperative Perception in Ant Traffic and Its Effects on Transportation System by Using a Congestion-Free Ant-Trail Model. Sensors, 21(7), 2393.
[6] Kasture, P. (2020). Comprehensive Design of Improved Ant Trail Model and Analysis of Jam Absorption Mechanism (Doctoral dissertation, Ph. D. Thesis, Graduate School of System Design and Management, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan).
[5] Kasture, P., & Nishimura, H. (2020, March). Analysis of Microscopic Behavior in Ant Traffic to Understand Jam-free Transportation. In Proceedings of the 2020 4th International Conference on Intelligent Systems, Metaheuristics & Swarm Intelligence (pp. 59-64).
[4] Kasture, P., & Nishimura, H. (2019). Platoon Definitions and Analysis of Correlation Between Number of Platoons and Jamming in Traffic System. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems.
[3] Kasture, P., & Nishimura, H. (2019). Congestion-free ant traffic: Jam absorption mechanism in multiple platoons. Applied Sciences, 9(14), 2918.
[2] Kasture, P., & Nishimura, H. (2016, November). Agent-based model of highway traffic: Reduction in driving efficiency with density. In 2016 IEEE 19th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSC) (pp. 29-34). IEEE.
[1] Kasture, P. (2016). Biomimicry of foraging ants for traffic flow analysis and design of transportation system Sub Title Author Kasture, Prafull (Nishimura, Hidekazu) 西村, 秀和 Publisher 慶應義塾大学大 学院システムデザイン・マネジメント研究科.
Professional Life
Life is about the impact you make and the wisdom you gather, not just the number of years you live.
09/2016 – 09/2020 | Keio University | Ph.D. Scholar and Researcher
- Spearheaded the discovery of the co-operation strategy of foraging ants to develop jam-free transportation models, utilizing comparative modeling and data analytics from a system-of-systems perspective.
- Conducted pioneering research to develop innovative frameworks essential for the design, integration, and management of complex systems.
- Advanced state-of-the-art research in autonomous mobility, Systems engineering, System-of-systems engineering, and multi-agent systems through collaborative industry-academic projects with prominent industry leaders such as Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota.
09/2020 – 04/2021 | Keio University | Project Assistant Professor
- Directed the development of an AI-based intelligent transportation system (ITS) to mitigate traffic jams, utilising biomimicry of ant traffic.
- Led innovative research efforts to establish frameworks crucial for the design, integration, and management of intricate systems.
02/2019 – 02/2020 | Continental Automotive | Technical Project Lead (Internship)
- Led a global investigation encompassing over 30 parking-related products to engineer the optimal Automated Valet Parking (AVP) systems.
- Orchestrated negotiations between multiple product owners for AVP, harmonising product strategies across three international markets: EU, Japan, and North America.
05/2021 – Present | Continental Automotive | Innovation Product Owner/ Systems Engineer
- Driving an innovative product design for a $100M blue ocean market through holistic systems design.
- Pioneering new state-of-the-art systems engineering practices in a worldwide team through effective leadership and communication.
- Driving the creation of next generation mobility architecture in Continental automotive through systems engineering expertise.
- On track to become the youngest Systems Engineering trainer at 32 years old, possessing deep and state-of-the-art knowledge.
Disclaimer: Generative AI has been utilized for proofreading and linguistic refinement. I firmly believe that generative AI is a valuable tool that enhances efficiency.
Prafull Kasture 