Jonathan Ota

Jonathan Ota

Designer in Oakland, He/Him

About

A hybrid designer tinkering with physical and digital experiences. Currently training robots how to live with humans at Amazon Lab126.

Work Experience

2018 — Now
San Francisco, CA

Creating delightful, character-driven Human Robot Interaction (HRI) for Amazon Astro, Amazon's first social home robot.

2016 — 2018
Innovation Executive, Design at Salesforce
San Francisco, CA

Helping Salesforce customers develop innovative products on top of the Salesforce cloud products.

2014 — 2016
Lead Interaction Designer at gravitytank
San Francisco, CA

Working on developing new products, services, and experiences for clients in industries across tech, healthcare, and food.

2013 — 2014
Co-Founder at Project Aura
Pittsburgh, PA

Co-Founded an award winning startup focused on bridging the communication gap between cyclists and drivers.

Awards

2022

System for user interactions with an autonomous mobile device

2018

Communicating information regarding status of vehicle operation

Side Projects

2021

Designed and developed the camera strap specifically for cyclists. We raised over $12,000 dollars and completely sold out of our initial run of 200 straps in less than 48hrs.

In addition, I conducted long-term pilot testing, marketing strategy, filming, sourcing, partial manufacturing and fulfillment of the camera straps.

2018

Created a space planning tool that uses augmented reality to give three dimensional context to flat, two dimensional floor plans.

Speaking

2021
Bringing Astro to Life at Amazon Conflux 2021
San Francisco

An internal Amazon event where I shared the keynote stage with fellow members of the Astro team explaining the meaning of motion in robotics.

Education

2009 — 2013
BFA in Industrial Design at Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
2012 — 2012
Study Abroad at TUe
Eindhoven, Netherlands