Gabriel Kenji G. Shimanuki

M.Sc. student, Safety Analysis Group

Biography

I am a Master’s student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo, ranked as the leading university in Latin America #92 QS World University Ranking. I conduct research within the Safety Analysis Group under the supervision of Prof. Paulo Sérgio Cugnasca and Dr. Alexandre Moreira Nascimento. My work focuses on enhancing the safety and optimization of autonomous systems, with the aim of creating reliable technologies capable of making safe decisions under uncertainty. My long-term goal is to accelerate the adoption of autonomous systems, including robotics and autonomous vehicles, and extend their societal benefits globally, particularly in developing regions.

I obtained my B.Sc. in Computer Engineering from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo, where I graduated among the top 10% of my class. During my undergraduate studies, I developed a robust safety investigation framework for autonomous vehicles, which led to award-winning projects recognized for advancing critical scenario generation and fault injection techniques. My current research builds on this foundation, integrating cutting-edge simulation tools such as CARLA and Scenic with hardware-in-the-loop systems using platforms like Arduino and FPGA to bridge the gap between simulation and real-world applications.

My research interests include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, and Simulation, with a focus on practical and scalable solutions. My projects have been supported by renowned institutions, including CNPq, FDTE, and Itaú-Unibanco (Data Science Center). Through these efforts, I aim to contribute to the development of safe, accessible, and efficient autonomous technologies, inspired by a legacy of innovation and societal progress. My vision is to advance robotics and autonomous systems as transformative solutions, fostering collaboration and accessibility to address critical societal challenges.

Publications

  • Shimanuki, G.; Nascimento, A.; Vismari, L.; Camargo Jr., J.; Almeida Jr., J.; Cugnasca, P. (2025). CORTEX-AVD: A Framework for CORner Case Testing and EXploration in Autonomous Vehicle Development. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2504.03989 - Under Review
  • Shimanuki, G.; Nascimento, A.; Vismari, L.; Camargo Jr., J.; Almeida Jr., J.; Cugnasca, P. (2025). Navigating the Edge with the State-of-the-Art Insights into Corner Case Identification and Generation for Enhanced Autonomous Vehicle Safety. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2503.00077 - Under Review
  • Shimanuki, G. (2024). Automatic Generation of Critical Scenarios for Evaluating Intelligent Control of Autonomous Vehicles in a Simulated Environment. Monograph for Qualifying Exam – M.Sc. in Computer Engineering, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (Poli-USP).
  • Shimanuki, Gabriel; Nascimento, Alexandre; and Queiroz, Anna C. M., "Enhancing Academic Performance Prediction: A Comprehensive Comparison of Machine Learning Techniques and Metrics" (2024). ISLA 2024 Proceedings. 2. https://aisel.aisnet.org/isla2024/2
  • Nascimento, A. M., Shimanuki, G. K. G., & Dias, L. A. V. (2024). Making More with Less: Improving Software Testing Outcomes Using a Cross-Project and Cross-Language ML Classifier Based on Cost-Sensitive Training. Applied Sciences, 14(11), 4880. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114880
  • Shimanuki, G. (2023). Increasing the Reliability of Autonomous Vehicle Controls Through the Creation of more Robust Traffic Datasets. Monograph for Senior Thesis Project – B.Sc. in Computer Engineering, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (Poli-USP).
  • Nascimento, Alexandre; Queiroz, Anna C. M.; and Godoy Shimanuki, Gabriel Kenji, "An Enhanced Artificial Neural Network Approach To Predict Student Dropout From Imbalanced Datasets" (2023). ISLA 2023 Proceedings. 15. https://aisel.aisnet.org/isla2023/15
  • Nascimento, A., Garcia, W., Garcia, A., Queiroz, A., Garcia, E., Bandeira, F., Shimanuki, G., & Satin, L. (2023). Set of Mock Exams for the ENEM (Brazilian National High School Exam), 1st edition. Editora Foco. ISBN: 978-6-55515-820-5.
  • Shimanuki, G. (2022, October). Analysis of the Influence of the Safety Zone on the Effectiveness of the Lateral Control Algorithm for Lane Change in Autonomous Vehicles. 30th University of São Paulo's International Symposium of Undergraduate Research (originally presented in Portuguese). Short Paper
  • Shimanuki, G. (2021, November). Analysis of the Influence of the Safety Zone on the Effectiveness of the Lane Crossing Control Algorithm for Autonomous Vehicles. 29th University of São Paulo's International Symposium of Undergraduate Research (originally presented in Portuguese). Short Paper
  • Shimanuki, G. (2020, October). Influence of the Safety Zone on Accident Risk with Autonomous Vehicles. 28th University of São Paulo's International Symposium of Undergraduate Research (originally presented in Portuguese). Short Paper

Professional Service Activity

    Journal Reviewer
  • IEEE Open Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems (OJ-ITS)

Offers of Admission

  • Admission to the M.S. in Electrical Engineering - New York University (NYU), Tandon School of Engineering

Honors

  • Selected Participant – AI4Industry 2025 Summer School on AI Technologies for Industry 4.0 - École des Mines de Saint-Étienne, France - Fully funded participation
  • Nomination for Best Final Paper of the Computer Engineering Poli - USP 2023
  • Best Project - Digital Systems Laboratory II - Implemented a Bayesian filtering algorithm on FPGA to enhance low-cost sensor reliability

Grants

  • Master’s Data Science Center (C2D) Fellowship - (Itaú-Unbanco, the largest bank in Latin America, #86 in the Global Forbes List)
  • Pre-Master’s (C2D) Fellowship (Itaú-Unibanco)
  • 2 A.M. Consulting Research Grant – (2 A.M. Consulting is a specialized research and advisory firm)
  • Scientific Scholarship Program - (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, CNPq - the largest Brazilian government agency that fosters scientific and technological advancement)
  • Foundation for Engineering Research and Development Research Grant – (FDTE – a non-profit institution supporting research and technological innovation in engineering in Brazil)