Esa Rahtu

Esa Rahtu is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Aalto University, Finland. His research focuses on computer vision, machine learning, and deep learning applications. He leads projects in image coding, neural networks, 3D reconstruction, object pose estimation, and anomaly detection. Rahtu has contributed to over 98 research outputs since 2017, with recent work emphasizing Gaussian splatting for SLAM, neural radiance fields, and hybrid video codecs for human-machine compatibility.

His expertise spans visual-inertial odometry (e.g., ADVIO dataset), LiDAR-based place recognition, and manufacturing quality control systems. Key areas include:

• 3D scene reconstruction using Gaussian splatting techniques
• Deep learning models for anomaly detection in industrial processes
• Hybrid video codecs optimizing human perception and machine processing
• Multi-sensor fusion for robotic navigation and indoor mapping

Notable datasets include ADVIO for visual-inertial odometry and FIORD for 3D reconstruction benchmarking. His research aligns with UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure) and SDG 4 (Quality Education) through advancements in smart manufacturing and educational technology.

Rahtu has received continuous research funding, including a grant period from April to June 2018. His work emphasizes practical applications, collaborating on real-world challenges like paper manufacturing quality control and smartphone-based 3D reconstruction.