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Getting to know you: Abhishek Bhartiya

Last Updated on 25th April 2022

In our second staff profile on the team here at GeoSLAM, Abhishek Bhartiya, discusses his role as software engineer and his passion for technology, as well as settling into UK life after moving halfway around the world to join us. We’re very pleased he’s here, so read on to find out a little more about his journey so far.

What route did you take to get your job at GeoSLAM?

I wanted to be a software engineer ever since my childhood. Back in India my family ran a business and our first computer was purchased to maintain the company accounts. I was fascinated by this DOS based machine and have been hooked ever since, I even used to save my pocket money to spend on foundation courses about software!

My first professional experience was at a research lab in India where I had the opportunity to work on sophisticated computer systems, I got to study the latest embedded hardware and real-time operating systems. This experience encouraged me to pursue a career where I could work on the latest technology.

I couldn’t find a suitable course in India, so I studied for my post-grad in ‘Big Data’ at the University of Stirling in Scotland which was focussed on machine learning. I really enjoyed my time in Scotland, but naturally I struggled with the weather at first!

As well as studying for my masters I completed several online courses on Deep Learning and Computer Vision which led me to joining GeoSLAM as an intern. After completing a 12-week internship, I was offered a full-time role and moved from India to the UK permanently.

What does your day-to-day job entail?

My role involves analysing the latest algorithms on computer vision, Deep Learning and the implementation of these on GeoSLAM datasets. I also work closely with the innovation team to improve and develop existing hardware and software products that GeoSLAM offers.

What do you enjoy most about working at GeoSLAM?

The GeoSLAM team have given me the freedom of method to work, the independence and flexibility to solve problems, enabling me to explore and research new algorithms.

With so many start-up technology firms appearing in London, you’d be forgiven for thinking that outside the capital few opportunities are available. The rapidly growing team at GeoSLAM however, made up of young, dynamic individuals demonstrates the talent and opportunities on offer here in the East Midlands.

Working at GeoSLAM has introduced me to friends and colleagues from all around the world. I love being in the kitchen and making creations inspired by the people I meet. Being vegetarian, I didn’t sample any haggis while in Scotland, but the difference in ingredients available to me after leaving India got me more focussed on a healthier diet and fitter lifestyle.

abhi and james

Abhi (left) inspiring the next generation of software engineers at a careers fair

What sector do you currently work in and do you have any ambitions to explore other sectors?

I am currently researching an application of Deep Learning (a subsection of Artificial Intelligence) on GeoSLAM data (camera images, videos and PointCloud). The current research will help to improve software and hardware products.

Machine learning and data science have both really captured my attention, particularly in autonomous driving, augmented and virtual reality.

What industries have you previously worked in?

For more than six years, I worked on government projects, writing software for electronic systems using C/C++. I have worked on embedded systems and real time operating systems.

What are your career ambitions?

There are lots of exciting things happening in the field of artificial intelligence, and it’s only bound to increase as technology advancements are made. My career ambition is to lead a team of developers in the AI field, later becoming the head of innovation and development.

What is your best achievement, personally or professionally, to date?

To date, my biggest professional achievement is the part I played in integrating a French designed inertial navigation system onboard an old maritime reconnaissance aircraft. It was particularly challenging because of design complications and changes to software, and to overcome these hurdles, I designed an interface unit for conversion of software protocol.

Successful trials were completed and the design was approved by a hardware and software quality assurance agency. It was later approved for upgrading the remaining aircraft in the fleet.

Moving to the UK was a huge challenge for me and it involved many months of reviewing visa rules and regulations. Getting through this and obtaining a master’s degree in the process has made myself and my family very proud and I look forward to what the future holds.

If you’ve got a passion, interest or experience that you think fits the bill and would like to join the GeoSLAM team, check out our current vacancies. We look forward to getting to know you too!