Dr. Hemal Naik

Key Words : Computer Vision, Problem Solving, Birds, Perspective Geometry, AR-VR. 

My research focuses on developing computer vision algorithms for practical applications. I prefer to work on concepts which can be implemented in near future to improve existing practices or methods. I am learning how to identify similar problems in different fields and transfer solutions from one field to another. My future goal is to design low cost computer vision solutions for wildlife monitoring and conservation.

My PhD research is mainly divided in to two parts. In the first part, I worked with Extend3D GmbH to develop Spatial Augmented Reality (SAR) based concepts to solve problems in high precision manufacturing processes. I developed methods to compute 3D position and orientation of industrial objects with sub millimeter accuracy. I also learnt practical aspects of setting up a multi camera-multi projector system.

Currently, I am working on final part of my PhD research with Collective Behavior group at Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. My work focuses on developing methods for computing 3D posture of birds from video footage. I am part of a multidisciplinary team which has set up a multi-modal facility (15 meter x 7 meter x 4 meter) capable of tracking 3D movement of animals using both optical and acoustic tracking (https://youtu.be/-aa2QI7tOLM?t=290). 3D posture computation for animals is poorly studied topic in the vision community when compared to human posture problem. My aim is to push research in this domain and discuss the topic of animal tracking further in the computer vision community with new set of challenges.