Ilia Ovsiannikov, Ph.D.

Founder

Apps for robots - home vacuums, quadrupeds, drones, humanoids, etc. Think Apple remaking ordinary phones into smartphones with apps & app store - only for robots. Your Roomba can do more than clean. Your drone or robot dog can do more than be manually remote-controlled. Imagine developers selling creative robot apps, AI agents turning ordinary robots into extraordinary helpers, companions for billions of consumers.

Founder

Navigation-capable robot kits

Vice President - Advanced Systems Lab

• Architected second-generation deep learning neural inference accelerator for smartphones and autonomous vehicles
• Delivered multiple advanced technology generations for deep learning and machine learning applications
• Developed neural inference hardware architecture, network optimization, and mobile/automotive applications
• Led CMOS image sensor research across multiple sensor types: LiDAR, 3D structured light, time-of-flight, RGBZ, DVS, and stacked sensors
• Created comprehensive image processing pipelines and prototype cameras

VP of Imaging Solutions

Directed design and R&D for CMOS SoC image sensors, overseeing digital design, ISP algorithms, firmware, physical implementation, and verification. Successfully delivered 1.3MP, 2MP, 3MP, and VGA sensor products.

R&D Manager and Architect (formerly Aptina, now On Semiconductor)

Led firmware and hardware engineering teams. Developed critical camera processing functions including demosaic, noise reduction, defect correction, sharpening, auto-exposure, auto-focus, and anti-shake features. Notable products: MT9S311, MT9T111D00STC, MT9P111.

Vice President of Engineering

Designed high-resolution IP cameras with day/night capability. Completed product design for yield, FCC, CE, and safety compliance.

Senior System Architect, Design Lead, Project Manager

Architected and delivered high-volume camera-on-chip SOC products (2M and VGA). Directed design of complete processing pipelines from raw Bayer to JPEG. Managed teams across multiple mask revisions and customer support. Notable products: MT9D111D00STC, MT9V111D00STC.

Research Scientist

Specialized in CMOS imaging sensor digital and mixed-signal design. Designed timing blocks, readout registers, and test chips. Delivered board-level camera design and characterization systems.

Research Scientist

Developed characterization tools and experimental simulations for CMOS imagers. Created comprehensive software and hardware for image acquisition, analysis, and digital still camera processing. Co-authored DoD and NASA SBIR reports.

Intern - Infrastructure Service R&D

Java/JDK software development

Research Assistant, Project Lead

Led Annotator Project—a state-of-the-art online annotation system. Secured two-year grant from Fuji-Xerox Palo Alto Research Labs. Published four papers.