Biography
Dr Zoran Najdovski received the B.Sci in Software Development and B.Eng. (Honours) in Mechatronics from Deakin University in 2004, and his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from Deakin University in 2010. He is currently a senior research fellow with the Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI) at Deakin University, and also holds the position of Deakin University Defence Science Institute (DSI) liaison manager. He was previously unit chair and lecturer in the Faculty of Health for the unit Principles of Optics from 2012 to 2017. He has led and managed a number of industry and defence-related projects funded under DST Group, Telstra Research Partner Program and Defence Innovation Hub. His awards include the 2012 Endeavour Research Fellowship for Japan, 2010 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution through “Innovation”, and 2010 Endeavour Research Fellowship. His academic interests include, haptics, robotics, teleoperation, virtual reality simulators, and human-machine systems.
Read more on Zoran's profileCareer highlights
2014 - present: Senior Research Fellow, Deakin University
2009 - 2013: Research Fellow, Deakin University
2004 - 2005: Test Engineer, Ford Motor Company Australia
Research interests
Dr Najdovski's research focuses on developing the principles and tools necessary to create human-machine systems and robotic technology that is capable of haptic interaction. This is applied to various industries to deliver haptically-enabled teleoperation, robotics, and virtual interaction through analytical and experimental methods. His topics of interest include system identification, modelling and control of devices that allow a human operator to interact with a virtual or remote invironment in a highly immersive and realistic way. This is supported through embedded system development and mechanical design that allows for a fundamental level contribution to novel device designs, sensors, and control system implementation. His research has been applied to haptic teleoperation of a mobile robotic manipulator for counter-improvised explosive neutralisation, multi-point haptic grasping for virtual training in the automotive industry, and haptically-enabled robotic ultrasound for non-invasive remote diagnosis. Dr Najdovski's research has produced over 50 publications and generated over $4M in grants and research project funding.
Knowledge areas
- Dynamic systems (modelling and simulation)
- Control (robotic and haptic systems)
- Human-Machine Systems
- Embedded systems
Professional activities
- Researcher
- Lecturer
- Embedded systems developer
- Mechanical designer
- Reviewer of IEEE and Elsevier journals
Media appearances
- Scope - Humans and Tech, 2018
- Channel 9 News - HaptiScan at Telstra Vantage 2018
- ABC Television, "The New Inventors" 2009
Awards
- 2012 Endeavour Research Fellowship for Japan
- 2010 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution through “Innovation”
- 2010 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for the Most Outstanding Contribution to “Delivering Effective Partnerships”
- 2010 Endeavour Research Fellowship
- 2009 ABC “The New Inventors” Winner
- 2006 World Automation Congress Outstanding contribution award
- 2004 Member Golden Key International Honour Society
- 2003 Deakin University Best final year project award (Vice Chancellor’s Prize)
Publications
Amity Latham, Zoran Najdovski, Rebecca Bartel, Jacqueline Cotton
(2024), Vol. 10, pp. 1-12, Safety, Basel, Switzerland, C1
Light Insight Trial (LiT) Research Report
Ashim Debnath, Vu Le, Alexey Medvedev, Wonmongo Soro, Chee Lim, Douglas Creighton, Arkady Zaslavsky, Zoran Najdovsky, Michael Johnstone
(2023), Geelong, Vic., A6
A Development of Time-Varying Weight Model Predictive Control for Autonomous Vehicles
Mohammad Qazani, Houshyar Asadi, Arian Shajari, Zoran Najdovski, Chee Lim, Saeid Nahavandi
(2023), pp. 3480-3486, SMC 2023 : Proceedings of the 2023 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Honolulu, Oahu, E1
N Mohajer, S Nahavandi, H Abdi, Z Najdovski
(2021), Vol. 13, pp. 156-173, IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Magazine, C1
An Efficient Design Solution for a Low-Cost High-G Centrifuge System
N Mohajer, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi
(2021), Vol. 26, pp. 134-145, IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, Piscataway, N.J., C1
Effects of road path profiles on autonomous vehicles' handling behaviour
N Mohajer, M Rokonuzzaman, D Nahavandi, S Salaken, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi
(2020), pp. 1-6, SYSCON 2020 : Proceedings of the 14th Annual IEEE International Systems Conference, Online, E1
Investigating the Effectiveness of a Cable-driven Pinch-Grasp Haptic Interface
Z Najdovski, S Deshpande, L Wei, S Salaken, N Mohajer, S Nahavandi, F Bello
(2020), Vol. 2020-January, pp. 1-8, SYSCON2020 : Proceedings of the 14th Annual IEEE International Systems Conference, Virtual Conference, E1
K Al-Abdullah, C Lim, Z Najdovski, W Yassin
(2019), Vol. 15, International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery, England, C1
Optimization of the milling parameters of a robotic-based bone milling system
K Al-Abdullah, C Lim, Z Najdovski, W Yassin
(2019), Vol. 2019-February, pp. 163-168, ICIT 2019 : Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, E1
Haptically-enabled VR-based immersive fire fighting training simulator
S Nahavandi, L Wei, J Mullins, M Fielding, S Deshpande, M Watson, S Korany, D Nahavandi, I Hettiarachchi, Z Najdovski, R Jones, A Mullins, A Carter
(2019), Vol. 997, pp. 11-21, CompCom 2019 : Intelligent Computing - Proceedings of the Computing Conference, London, England, E1
Design and Development of a Low-Cost High-G Centrifuge System (Cyclone)
N Mohajer, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi
(2019), pp. 305-309, ICCMA 2019 : Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Control, Mechatronics and Automation, Delft, The Netherlands, E1
C Shi, X Luo, J Guo, Z Najdovski, T Fukuda, H Ren
(2018), Vol. 22, pp. 806-817, IEEE journal of biomedical and health informatics, Piscataway, N.J., C1
Modular Instrument for a Haptically-Enabled Robotic Surgical System (HeroSurg)
M Dalvand, S Nahavandi, M Fielding, J Mullins, Z Najdovski, R Howe
(2018), Vol. 6, pp. 31974-31982, IEEE Access, C1
Neural network adaptive control of teleoperation systems with uncertainties and time-varying delay
P Kebria, A Khosravi, S Nahavandi, Z Najdovski, S Hilton
(2018), pp. 252-257, CASE 2018 : Proceedings of the 2018 IEEE 14th International Conference on Automation Science and Engineering, Munich, Germany, E1
Shape sensing techniques for continuum robots in minimally invasive surgery: a survey
C Shi, X Luo, P Qi, T Li, S Song, Z Najdovski, T Fukuda, H Ren
(2017), Vol. 64, pp. 1665-1678, IEEE transactions on biomedical engineering, Piscataway, N.J., C1
T Li, Y Tan, C Shi, Y Guo, Z Najdovski, H Ren, Z Zhou
(2017), Vol. 17, pp. 5840-5848, IEEE sensors journal, Piscataway, N.J., C1
Effect of acceleration and velocity on perceptual force dead-band analysis
O Nadjarbashi, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi, S Mohammad
(2017), pp. 3008-3014, SMC 2016 : Proceedings of the 2016 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Budapest, Hungary, E1-1
Design methodology for a hexarot-based centrifugal high-G simulator
S Pedrammehr, Z Najdovski, H abdi, S Nahavandi
(2017), pp. 3255-3260, SMC 2017 : IEEE Proceedings of the International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Banff, Canada, E1
Event-driven data transmission in variable-delay network
O Nadjarbashi, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi
(2017), pp. 1681-1686, SMC 2017 : Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Banff, Canada, E1
J Jung, M Nakajima, M Takeuchi, Z Najdovski, Q Huang, T Fukuda
(2016), Vol. 7, Micromachines, Switzerland, C1
How to predict dropped motion samples in haptic impedance devices
O Nadjarbashi, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi
(2016), pp. 459-463, ICAMechS 2016 : Proceedings of the 2016 International Conference on Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Melbourne, Vic., E1-1
Countering Improvised explosive devices through a multi-point haptic teleoperation system
S Nahavandi, J Mullins, M Fielding, H Abdi, Z Najdovski
(2015), pp. 190-197, 2015 IEEE : Proceedings of the 1st International Symposium on Systems Engineering (ISSE), Rome, Italy, E1
C Shi, M Kojima, C Tercero, Z Najdovski, S Ikeda, T Fukuda, F Arai, M Negoro
(2014), Vol. 10, pp. 505-515, International journal of medical robotics and computer assisted surgery, London, Eng., C1
Towards a haptically enabled optometry training simulator
L Wei, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi, H Weisinger
(2014), Vol. 3, pp. 1-8, Network Modeling Analysis in Health Informatics and Bioinformatics, Heidelberg, Germany, C1
Extending support to customised multi-point haptic devices in CHAI3D
L Wei, Z Najdovski, H Zhou, S Deshpande, S Nahavandi
(2014), pp. 1864-1867, SMC 2014 : Proceedings of the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, San Diego, California, E1
Fault-tolerant force in human and robot cooperation
H Abdi, S Nahavandi, Z Najdovski, A Maciejewski
(2013), Vol. 5, pp. 103-116, International journal of social robotics, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, C1
Y Shen, M Nakajima, Z Yang, H Tajima, Z Najdovski, M Homma, T Fukuda
(2013), Vol. 24, pp. 1-9, Nanotechnology, Bristol, England, C1
In vitro strain measurements in cerebral aneurysm models for cyber-physical diagnosis
C Shi, M Kojima, H Anzai, C Tercero, S Ikeda, M Ohta, T Fukuda, F Arai, Z Najdovski, M Negoro, K Irie
(2013), Vol. 9, pp. 213-222, International journal of medical robotics and computer assisted surgery, London, England, C1
Technical skills measurement based on a cyber-physical system for endovascular surgery simulation
C Tercero, H Kodama, C Shi, K Ooe, S Ikeda, T Fukuda, F Arai, M Negoro, G Kwon, Z Najdovski
(2013), Vol. 9, pp. 25-33, International journal of medical robotics and computer assisted surgery, London, England, C1
C Tercero, Z Najdovski, S Ikeda, S Nahavandi, T Fukuda
(2013), pp. 359-364, WHC 2013 : Proceedings of the IEEE World Haptics 2013 Conference, Daejeon, Korea, E1
C Shi, M Kojima, C Tercero, Z Najdovski, H Kodama, M Nakajima, S Ikeda, T Fukuda, F Arai, M Negoro
(2013), pp. 4844-4849, Proceedings - IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Karlsruhe, GERMANY, E1-1
G Acaroglu, K Vincs, P Divers, D Skovli, J McCormick, V Le, M Fielding, M Watson, H Abdi, W Abdelrahmen, J Mullins, Z Nadjovski, S Nahavandi, L Wei
(2013), Melbourne, Vic., J2-1
Function-based single and dual point haptic interaction in Cyberworlds
L Wei, A Sourin, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi
(2012), pp. 1-16, Transactions on computational science XVI, Heidelberg, Germany, B1
Design, development, and evaluation of a pinch-grasp haptic interface
Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi, T Fukuda
(2012), Vol. 19, pp. 45-54, IEEE/ASME transactions on mechatronics, Piscataway, N. J., C1
Augmented optometry training simulator with multi-point haptics
L Wei, Z Najdovski, W Abdelrahman, S Nahavandi, H Weisinger
(2012), pp. 2991-2997, SMC 2012 : Proceedings of the 2012 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Seoul, South Korea, E1
Next generation robotic counter IED technology : A step change in capability
J Mullins, M Fielding, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi, W Budd
(2012), pp. 145-152, LWC 2012 : Potent Land Force for a Joint Maritime Strategy : Proceedings of the 2012 Land Warfare Conference, Melbourne, Victoria, E1
Enabling multi-point haptic grasping in virtual environments
Q Ang, B Horan, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi
(2011), pp. 55-58, 3DUI 2011 - IEEE Symposium on 3D User Interfaces 2011, Proceedings, Singapore, Singapore, E1
Grasping virtual objects with multi-point haptics
Q Ang, B Horan, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi
(2011), pp. 189-190, VR 2011 : Proceedings - IEEE Virtual Reality, Singapore, Singapore, E1
Multiple actuator fault tolerance for static nonlinear systems based on minimum velocity jump
H Abdi, S Nahavandi, Z Najdovski, Y Frayman
(2011), pp. 4690-4695, IFAC 2011 : Proceedings of the 18th IFAC World Congress, Milano, Italy, E1
OzTug mobile robot for manufacturing transportation
B Horan, Z Najdovski, T Black, S Nahavandi, P Crothers
(2011), pp. 3554-3560, SMC 2011 : Conference proceeding of the 2011 International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Anchorage, Alaska, E1
Fault tolerance operation of cooperative manipulators
H Abdi, S Nahavandi, Z Najdovski
(2010), pp. 144-151, i-SAIRAS 2010 : The International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, Sapporo, Japan, E1
On the effort of task completion for partially-failed manipulators
H Abdi, S Nahavandi, Z Najdovski
(2010), pp. 201-206, INDIN 2010 : Proceedings of the 8th IEEE Interantional Conference on Industrial Informatics, Osaka, Japan, E1
Characterising a novel interface for event-based haptic grasping
Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi
(2009), pp. 992-997, RO-MAN 2009 : Proceedings of the Robot and Human Interactive Communication 2009 international symposium, Toyama, Japan, E1
Multi-point multi-hand haptic teleoperation of a mobile robot
B Horan, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi
(2009), pp. 992-997, RO-MAN 2009 : Proceedings of the Robot and Human Interactive Communication 2009 international symposium, Toyama, Japan, E1
Haptic control methodologies for telerobotic stair traversal
B Horan, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi, E Tunstel
(2008), Vol. 13, pp. 3-14, International journal of intelligent control and systems, Singapore, Singapore, C1
Extending haptic device capability for 3D virtual grasping
Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi
(2008), pp. 494-503, EuroHaptics 2008 : Haptics : perception, devices, and scenarios : Proceedings of the 6th EuroHaptics 2008 International Conference, Madrid, Spain, June 10-13, 2008, Madrid, Spain, E1
3D virtual haptic cone for intuitive vehicle motion control
B Horan, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi, E Tunstel
(2008), pp. 67-74, 3DUI 2008 : Proceedings of IEEE Symposium on 3D User Interfaces, Reno, Nev., E1
Exploiting ungrounded tactile haptic displays for mobile robotic teleoperation
B Horan, Z Najdovski, S Nahavandi
(2008), pp. 1-6, WAC '08 : Proceedings of the World Automation Congress '08, Waikoloa, T.H., E1
Solution to robotic landmine detection through use of path planning and motor control
Z Najdovski, C Mawson, H Trinh, S Nahavandi
(2006), pp. 1-6, World Automation Congress Budapest, Hungary, July 24-26, 2006, Budapest, Hungary, E1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Other Public Sector Funding
MBITR Battery Testing
A/Prof James Mullins, Dr Michael Fielding, Mr Matthew Watson, A/Prof Zoran Najdovski
DoD Grant - Research - Department of Defence
- 2014: $24,500
Queensland Police OzBot Robot Development
A/Prof James Mullins, Dr Michael Fielding, A/Prof Zoran Najdovski, Prof Saeid Nahavandi
QldPolice Queensland Police Service
- 2016: $121,000
- 2015: $88,600
Agriculture Plant Safer Equipment Research
A/Prof Zoran Najdovski, Dr Jacquie Cotton, A/Prof Ashim Debnath, Prof Douglas Creighton, Prof Arkady Zaslavsky
WorkSafe Victoria
- 2022: $30,216
- 2021: $15,108
Industry and Other Funding
Haptically-Enabled Robotics
Prof Saeid Nahavandi, A/Prof James Mullins, Dr Michael Fielding, A/Prof Zoran Najdovski, Dr Hamid Abdi
Telstra Corporation
- 2015: $291,594
- 2014: $205,000
Autonomous electric Vehicle - URP2016 -3003R
Prof Saeid Nahavandi, Dr Mohammed Hossny, A/Prof Shady Mohamed, Dr Navid Mohajer, Dr Darius Nahavandi, Mr Ahmed Abobakr, Mr Khaled Aboufarw, A/Prof Zoran Najdovski
Ford USA Grant - Research
- 2019: $72,811
- 2018: $64,178
- 2017: $126,524
Understanding potential AAM and cargo drone markets for an Australian manufactured drone - market
Dr Hermione Parsons, Dr Roberto Perez-Franco, Prof Douglas Creighton, Dr Don Gunasekera, A/Prof Michael Johnstone, Mr Bruce Gunn, A/Prof Zoran Najdovski
Quickstep Technologies Pty Ltd
- 2021: $71,842
Study of automated boarding lifts and Disability Standard compliance for Next Generation Trams
Prof Douglas Creighton, Dr Kevin Murfitt, A/Prof Zoran Najdovski
Alstom Transport Australia
- 2021: $30,000
Cleaning Robot (CBot)
A/Prof Zoran Najdovski, A/Prof Samer Hanoun, Prof Chee Peng Lim
Downer EDI Rail
- 2023: $654,000
Other Funding Sources
Light Insight Trial (LiT)
A/Prof Ashim Debnath, Prof Chee Peng Lim, Dr Alexey Medvedev, Prof Douglas Creighton, Prof Arkady Zaslavsky, A/Prof Michael Johnstone, A/Prof Zoran Najdovski, Dr Jan Garrard
iMove Australia Limited
- 2023: $46,450
- 2022: $65,244
- 2021: $153,250
Supervisions
Omid Fathollah Nadjarbashi
Thesis entitled: Haptic Data Reduction through Dynamic Perceptual Analysis and Event-based Communication
Doctor of Philosophy (Information Technology), Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation
Pradeep Chamara Jayaweera Herath Mudiyanselage
Thesis entitled: Efficient Path Planning of Low-cost Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation
Kais Ibrahim Abdul-lateef Al-Abdullah
Thesis entitled: Modelling and Optimization of Robotic Bone Drilling and Milling Processes
Doctor of Philosophy (Information Technology), Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation
Saba Tareq Salim Al-Wais
Thesis entitled: Robust delay-dependent control for the stability and synchronization problems of tele-operation systems
Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation
Navid Mohajer
Thesis entitled: Improvement of Ride and Handling Comfort of Road Vehicles
Doctor of Philosophy (Information Technology), Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation
Mats Erik Isaksson
Thesis entitled: Analysis and Synthesis of Parallel Manipulators with a Rotation-Symmetric Arm System
Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), Centre for Intelligent Systems Research.
Quan-Zen Ang
Thesis entitled: Multi-point Haptic Interaction for Robotic Teleoperation
Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), Centre for Intelligent Systems Research.