Welcome Back, Dr. Peter Yu

This week’s episode is a special reunion as Dr. Peter Yu returns to The Shintaro Higashi Show! Peter, now officially “Doctor Yu,” brings fresh stories from finishing his PhD, moving to Silicon Valley, and starting a new role in the cutting-edge world of autonomous vehicles.

“I defended at the end of May—so it’s Doctor Yu for you guys now!”

After a much-needed break (and some affordable Michigan golf), Peter is now an applied scientist at Wave, working on the “brain” of self-driving cars.

Watch the full video here ↓

From PhD to Silicon Valley: Life and Work After Academia

Peter shares what it’s like transitioning from the relentless grind of a PhD to the structure of a tech job:

“The worst part of the PhD is that you could never rest… you have to make a conscious effort to shut off and rest because if you don’t do it, nothing’s going to happen.”

Now, with a bit more separation between work and life, Peter is excited to tackle new challenges in AI and robotics.

The Future of Autonomous Vehicles: Inside the Industry

Shintaro and David dig into the hot topic of self-driving cars. Peter explains the complexity of the “long tail” problem—those rare, unpredictable situations that are hardest for AI to master.

“80% of the work takes 20% of the effort, and the last 20% of the problems take 80% of the work… all the autonomous vehicle companies are trying to solve the long tail problem.”

Peter’s company, Wave, is sensor-agnostic and focuses on making software that works with whatever hardware a car company provides—cameras, radar, or LiDAR.

Judo, Golf, and the Mechanics of Throwing

After all the science talk, the crew gets back to judo. Peter shares how learning golf helped him rediscover the mechanics of judo throws, especially the importance of pulling down (not just up) for kuzushi.

“In golf, the arms move up and down… we’re really good at accelerating our arms up and down, but weak this way. In judo, it’s the pulling down motion that really throws a person.”

This new perspective helped Peter revive his right-sided forward throws and gave him a fresh approach to classic judo techniques.

California Judo, New Beginnings, and Staying Connected

Peter’s move to California means new dojos, new training partners, and new stories to come. The episode wraps with plans to connect Peter to the local judo scene and keep the podcast’s community spirit alive.

“I’ve already gotten some people reach out inviting me to their BJJ gyms… every dojo is going to want you, you’re a nice guy!”

Final Thoughts

This episode is a celebration of growth, curiosity, and the bonds that keep the judo community together—no matter where life takes you. Whether you’re into grappling, tech, or just love a good catch-up, this one’s for you.

Listen to the full episode for more on:

• The realities of PhD life and career pivots

• How AI is shaping the future of driving

• The physics and philosophy of throwing

• Judo adventures in California and beyondWant More?

Catch the full episode on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform, and don’t forget to check out Higashi Brand for gear that supports you through every phase of your training—injury and all.

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