Giovanni Cioffi

Giovanni Cioffi

PhD Student

Robotics and Perception Group

Biography

My work lies at the intersection of computer vision and robotics, with a focus on camera localization and 3D mapping. In my PhD, I have developed algorithms that enable robust perception in challenging conditions, such as motion blur and feature-poor environments encountered by agile flying robots. Additionally, I have worked on assistive guidance technologies for visually impaired people. I am currently an intern at Meta, where I work on 3D mapping from first-person–view images.

Interests
  • Perception in Robotics
  • Computer Vision
  • Playing sports
Education
  • PhD in Robotics, 2020 - now

    Robotics and Perception Group, University of Zurich

  • MSc in Mechanical Engineering, 2019

    ETH Zurich, Switzerland

  • BSc in Industrial Engineering, 2013

    Universitá degli Studi di Napoli, Italy

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Research Scientist Intern
Jul 2025 – Present Zurich, Switzerland
I worked on dataset curation and on design and training of transformer-based models to predict semantic volumetric maps from first-person camera data.
 
 
 
 
 
Ph.D. Student
Jul 2020 – Present Zurich, Switzerland
My research focuses on camera localization and 3D mapping using algorithms such as Visual(-Inertial) Odometry (VIO) and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). My work was recognized by multiple awards in top-tier robotic conferences and journals, such as the IROS 2023 Best Paper Award and the RA-L 2021 Best Paper Award.
 
 
 
 
 
Research Assistant
Jul 2019 – Jun 2019 Zurich, Switzerland
I worked on a project on sensor fusion (camera, inertial measurements (IMU), GPS) with the goal of achieving cm-level accurate mapping. The project was done in collaboration with an international construction company.
 
 
 
 
 
Research Intern
May 2018 – Oct 2018 Ladenburg, Germany
I worked on a project on machine learning for human-robot interaction. I designed a data efficient classifier to distinguish between intended and unintended human-robot contacts. My algorithm was deployed on ABB collaborative manipulators.
 
 
 
 
 
Production Engineer Intern
Feb 2016 – Sep 2016 Napoli, Italy
Production engineer in a manufacturing line for turbine combustor.