Gideon Billings

Professional

In December of 2021, I received my PhD in Robotics from the University of Michigan, where I researched under Prof. Matthew Johnson-Roberson in the Deep Robot Optical Perception (DROP) Lab. My PhD research was focused on deep learning and computer vision methods for underwater perception and autonomous manipulation. A primary goal of my research is to enhance ROV pilot operations by developing methods for autonomous and semi-autonomous execution of common manipulation tasks and demonstrate the practical functionality of these methods in the field.

Personal

My life philosophy is to live fully, pursue my dreams intensely, and always have fun. I am an avid world traveler, which has contributed significantly to guiding my career path. My heart is with the ocean, and I am happiest playing and exploring near and beneath its mysterious and wonderful depths. I have a boat load of hobbies and am always dabbling in new things. My major infatuations (not an exhaustive list of all hobbies) include scuba diving, photography, paddle boarding and other water sports, hiking and backpacking, board gaming, reef and freshwater aquariums, cooking, physical fitness, DIY projects, and currently raising an Australian Shepherd puppy. I am always down for a game night or doing something active. If the inclination takes you, feel free to reach out and connect!