Circle Optics is thrilled to welcome David Krauthamer to the team as a Computer Engineer. Krauthamer, a recent graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology, initially joined Circle Optics during his senior year, contributing as a summer intern. His hands-on approach to bridging hardware and software quickly demonstrated his technical versatility—an essential quality for advancing the company’s cutting-edge imaging technology. Peter Stubler, Director of Software Engineering comments, “I first met David at SIT when he took over for a PhD candidate who was moving on. He truly impressed me with his enthusiasm for learning new technology and his tenacity for solving problems and overcoming obstacles. I was thrilled when he chose to join us full time. Since then, he has established his expertise within the company in GPU coding and build automation. We are very lucky to have him.”
In his role, Krauthamer is focused on optimizing Circle Optics’ state-of-the-art panoramic imaging systems, specifically by transferring image processing algorithms from the CPU to the GPU—a move that has already increased processing speeds by 30 times. This advancement is vital for achieving real-time image capture and processing, directly enhancing the company’s technological capabilities.
As Circle Optics continues to grow, Krauthamer appreciates the collaborative culture that fosters meaningful contributions from each team member. His presence strengthens Circle Optics’ commitment to innovation and efficiency, advancing the field of high-quality, real-time panoramic imaging solutions.
Below are some key points from a recent conversation with Krauthamer:
How has your transition from intern to full-time employee at Circle Optics been?
My transition from intern to full-time at Circle Optics was incredibly smooth. It was almost like one day, I was an intern, and the next, I was here as a permanent member of the team, continuing the same work with even more ownership. I’ve always enjoyed working hands-on with both software and hardware, and this role really allows me to do that in a meaningful way. It’s exciting to move from being a student to someone who actively contributes to high-impact projects. There’s a lot of satisfaction in knowing my input directly affects the development of our imaging systems.
What projects are you currently working on, and how are they contributing to the development of Circle Optics’ panoramic imaging technology?
Right now, my main focus is on optimizing our image processing algorithms for the Hydra II system. We’re working on transferring these processes from the CPU to the GPU, which has given us about a 30x improvement in speed. This leap is crucial for real-time applications, where speed and efficiency are non-negotiable. I’m also setting up a centralized server to organize our calibration data and captured footage, which will make data sharing across the team much easier. Given that we’re a distributed team, having this centralized storage is a huge step forward in ensuring consistency and accessibility.
Can you share any memorable moments or lessons from your internship that continue to influence your work?
One of my most memorable moments was working closely with Pete on graphical user interface and acceleration projects. He’s incredibly knowledgeable in these fields, and I learned so much just by being around him and absorbing his insights. It was grounding to have a mentor who could both challenge and guide me. Another standout experience was attending our team bowling event—these gatherings really showcase our company’s culture of collaboration and fun. It’s a great reminder that even though we work hard, we value building connections that strengthen our teamwork.”
What excites you most about the intersection of hardware and software in panoramic imaging?
For me, the most exciting part of working at this intersection is seeing the direct, physical response when I write code. I love working on projects where my programming immediately impacts the hardware, creating a tangible outcome. There’s a sort of euphoria when everything works as intended. It’s more fulfilling than just seeing numbers on a screen; I get real-time feedback that I can see and interact with, which keeps me engaged and driven to keep improving our systems.
Are there any specific challenges you’ve encountered in working with panoramic imaging technology, and how did you approach solving them?
One of the biggest challenges in panoramic imaging is balancing speed and quality. For instance, we process 11 images that are each about 2000×2000 pixels, which adds up to a lot of data. To maintain real-time processing at the original resolution, I’ve had to find ways to do more with less—essentially reducing the number of processing passes over each image. Working with Pete, we’ve streamlined the process from ten steps down to three, and eventually, we aim for just one. It’s all about continuous optimization and finding efficiencies to make the technology as responsive as possible.
What do you see as the future of panoramic imaging technology, and how can Circle Optics position itself at the forefront of these advancements?
I think the future of panoramic imaging lies in making these technologies more accessible and efficient across different fields, from defense to training simulations. Circle Optics is in a unique position to lead in this space because we’re not just focused on producing high-quality images—we’re solving real-world problems with our technology. As we move toward more rugged, compact systems like Hydra III, we’re opening up opportunities for use cases that require smaller, more resilient equipment, allowing us to expand our reach and impact.
How do you envision the evolution of software’s role in enhancing panoramic imaging experiences?
Software will continue to play an increasingly important role, as new use cases for panoramic imaging emerge. Once a system is designed and built the hardware remains constant, but how customers will want to use it is constantly evolving, which software will be written to solve. As an example with the Hydra II system, there are two distinct use cases being pursued right now. The first is to capture and render images into a video stream in real-time. The second is to perform 3D reconstruction on captured images after a shoot. It’s exciting to be part of this journey and to contribute to technology that’s changing how people see the world.
Innovation requires a lot of interaction and comfort with failure—what is your perspective?
Failure is definitely part of the process here, and I’ve come to see it as a learning tool rather than a setback. On our software team, we even have a folder called ‘Computational Photography is Art’ where we save all the bizarre or ‘failed’ images that result from testing and experimenting with different algorithms. Every mistake we make has a lesson attached to it, and sometimes those mistakes lead us to unexpected insights. I’ve contributed four or five of those quirky images just in the past few months, and each one has taught me something new. It helps to have a culture that embraces these ‘failures’ as part of innovation.
Working at Circle Optics has shown me that being comfortable with failure isn’t just about persistence; it’s also about reframing these moments as steps forward. We’re constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and that means things won’t always work the first time. My resolve muscle gets stronger each time I approach a problem from a new angle or solve something that seemed impossible before. And having a team that supports and learns from each other definitely makes it easier to keep moving forward.
This photo captures a recent test on our terrace, showcasing footage taken by Imaging Science Software Engineer Mitchell Baller with the Hydra camera system. This particular angle reflects the standard orientation of the camera, emphasizing the high-quality image output we’ve achieved. The image was part of a demonstration for Frontier, highlighting the improvements in image clarity and edge brightness correction made by Circle Optics’ algorithm, which addresses common issues with darker corners in panoramic cameras. This adjustment enables a more balanced, vibrant image—an essential feature for immersive imaging. The Hydra system’s ease of use, almost ‘point-and-click,’ continues to set a new standard in high-fidelity panoramic photography, allowing us to capture and render images rapidly. This test is one among many that demonstrate the robustness and clarity of Hydra’s output, making it a powerful tool in real-time panoramic imaging.
Read more about Circle Optics Employees
Anjali Jogeshwar PhD, Senior Computer Vision Engineer
Circle Optics, an ODM based in the global optics hub of Rochester, New York, has recently added new talent to its team. Anjali Jogeshwar, who holds a B.E. in Computer Engineering from Mumbai University (2016) and an M.S. (2019) and Ph.D. (2023) in Imaging Science from the Rochester Institute of Technology, has joined Circle Optics as a Senior Computer Vision Engineer. Her Ph.D. thesis, titled “Look at the Bigger Picture: Analyzing Eye-Tracking Data with Multi-Dimensional Visualization,” showcases her expertise in the field, and her contributions are expected to further enhance the company’s photogrammetry capabilities.
Steve Feller, Senior Software Engineer
In the dynamic realm of high-resolution imaging technology, Steve Feller stands out as a visionary and a seasoned expert. Recently joining Circle Optics as a Senior Computer Engineer, Feller brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. His journey has been marked by significant accomplishments, including leading the commercialization efforts at Geometric Data Analytics, Inc., steering operations as Director at Aqueti, and playing a pivotal role in the development of advanced camera systems ranging from 2 to 10 gigapixels under the auspices of a $25 million DARPA AWARE imaging program grant at Duke University. Feller is not just an addition to the team but a strategic move to enhance the company’s prowess in aerospace, autonomous systems, and entertainment verticals, promising new horizons in situational awareness and immersive experiences.
Cody Hatch, Mechanical Engineer
Cody Hatch, a Mechanical Engineer at Circle Optics and a graduate of both Rochester Institute of Technology and the NextCorps Embark program, brings a unique blend of technical skill and innate curiosity to the Circle Optics team. His journey from early aspirations in hands-on trades to achieving engineering mastery exemplifies his dedication to precision and learning through experience. Mentored by influential leaders like Bob Podlena, Cody honed his craft, embracing attention to detail as a guiding principle. Inspired by his great-grandmother’s love for exploration and knowledge, he envisions creating immersive experiences that make global destinations accessible through advanced imaging, aligning perfectly with Circle Optics’ mission to connect people to the world.
Andy Kurtz, Chief Research Officer
We at Circle Optics are an eclectic group of interesting people who are deeply curious and want to make a difference through immersive experience. Meet Chief Research Officer, Andrew Kurtz. Andrew was employee number three coming to Circle Optics with already over 110 patents from his work as Principal Scientist and Director of R & D at IMAX, after working for many years as a Scientist in the Kodak R&D Labs.
