Dov Katz

Computer Vision & Machine Learning Expert

ABOUT

I'm a roboticist by training with a major focus on computer vision and machine learning. I have a PhD in robotics, conducted postdoctoral research in vision and learning, and created the original position tracking system for the Oculus Rift VR system. I also have multiple research publications and patents.

Here is my academic resume
You can find videos showing my work in my homepage
And a list of my pending and issued patents here

Here's a collection of links about my work and a short bio in hebrew (עברית)

DOWNLOAD RESUME

EDUCATION

PhD in Computer Science
University of Massachussets Amherst

SEPTEMBER 2011

MSc in Computer Science
University of Massachussets Amherst

MAY 2008

BSc in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Tel-Aviv University

MAY 2004

WORK

Founder
Minerva Technologies

Developing innovative computer vision and machine learning algorithms to disrupt the brick & mortar shopping and checkout experience.

2017 - CURRENT

Head of Computer Vision
Oculus (Facebook)

Led Oculus’ computer vision and machine learning R&D group (about 80 engineers, scientist and managers). Managed multiple M&A activities, defined product strategy, created independent high throughput teams, shipped exciting technologies to consumers.

2013 - 2017

Senior Computer Vision Engineer
Oculus VR

Led Oculus’ computer vision R&D. Designed, developed and shipped a high accuracy and low latency position tracking system. Involved in camera design, driver and interface implementation. Participated in manufacturing efforts.

2012 - 2013

Postdoctoral Fellow
Carnegie Mellon University

Conducted research in autonomous mobile manipulation with focus on perception in unstructured environments. Developed state-of-the-art perception algorithms for detecting, tracking and modeling novel objects (natural and man-made). Integrated machine-learning methods to enable lifelong learning of robotic perception and manipulation skills.

2011 - 2012

Research Assistant
Technical University of Berlin, Germany

Designed and supervised the implementation of a new robotic platform. Led a team of PhD students in the design of a new software library. Participated in hiring decisions.

2009 - 2011

Research Assistant
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Conducted various research projects on autonomous mobile manipulation in the robotics lab.

2005 - 2009

Research Assistant
Tel-Aviv University

Led a research project on matching emotional states with facial expressions using computer vision and machine learning.

2003 - 2004

Software Engineer
Zend Technologies

Directed the design and implementation of software packaging on multiple operating systems for the leading web scripting language PHP..

2000 - 2005

AWARDS

CES Best of show award for Oculus Rift position tracking prototype
Oculus received the award for the innovative position tracking system I developed

2014

IEEE Robotics and Automation Society: Most Active Technical Comittee
The IEEE technical comittee I co-founded received an award for its activity

2010-2011

Outstanding Masters Project
My MSc research work was recognized by Yahoo! Research

2008

PhD qualifying portfolio with distinction
Awarded to 1-2 PhD candidates each year

2008

Best Manipulation Paper finalist
IEEE award for outstanding research in the field of autonomous robotic manipulation

2008

Distinguished Undergraduate Research Award
Tel-Aviv University award for undergraduate research project

2004

SKILLS

Computer Vision

Machine Learning

Autonomous Manipulation

C++

Matlab

Leadership

PORTFOLIO

dubi katz, dov katz, oculus geniuses

POSITION TRACKING FOR VIRTUAL REALITY

I led the development of the Oculus position tracking system. This system is one of the key components of Oculus' VR headset.
wired.com experienced the early prototype of the tracking system: "Three of Oculus' best brains (standing, from left): founder Palmer Luckey, senior vision engineer Dov Katz, and VP of product Nate Mitchell. The writer (seated) experiences some of their latest breakthroughs."

dubi katz, dov katz, oculus, facebook, acquisition, fb

OCULUS ACQUIRED BY FACEBOOK

I joined Oculus very early on. The team went from idea to product to being acquired by Facebook in about 2 years. The Times of Israel wrote about the my work: "Katz is an integral part of the team that developed the Oculus Rift headset".

dubi katz, dov katz, robotics, computer vision, autonomous manipulation, interactive perception

IEEE TECHNICAL COMITTEE ON MOBILE MANIPULATION

I am the co-founder of the IEEE Moobile Manipulation Comittee. We were recognized as the most active technical comittee, and the group has grown significantly over the years. For more details check out the TC website

dubi katz, dov katz, computer vision, oculus, facebook, fb, acquisition

ACQUISITION AND INTEGRATION

I led the acquisition and integration of several startups into Oculus' computer vision team: Pebbles, 13th Lab, The Eye Tribe