James Darpinian
Graphics & Machine Learning Engineer

I invented Google Earth VR. I built the first end-to-end neural net eye tracking system. I enjoy applying cutting-edge technology in real-world applications.

• See A Satellite Tonight 9/2019 — Present
  • https://james.darpinian.com/satellites shows you how to find satellites in the night sky as they pass over your backyard.
• Meta 7/2021 — 4/2022
  • Telepresence for Orion augmented reality glasses.
• Google 10/2016 — 5/2021
  • Standards work on WebGL and WebGPU with Mozilla, Microsoft, and Apple. Implemented WebGL 2 API in WebKit/Safari. Maintained Chrome GPU stack.
• Eyefluence 1/2015 — 10/2016
  • Created eye tracking system from scratch with end-to-end machine learning. Designed data collection procedure and software to collect large labeled datasets, implemented visualization tools to understand datasets and accuracy, designed neural net architectures, executed training runs, invented a few-shot learning technique for user calibration at runtime, created an SDK and an integration with the Unity game engine, and optimized the system for real time performance at 90 Hz.
  • The system I built got rave reviews from TechCrunch, CNET, PC World, USA Today, and more. Google acquired us in 2016.
• Google 10/2010 — 12/2014
  • I conceived and created the first version of Google Earth VR. I helped ship WebGL rendering for Google Maps.
• Prior: Microsoft, Harvey Mudd College