Staff Directory
Academic Qualification
- Doctor of Philosophy (Electrical & Electronic Engineering) - Doctor of Philosophy, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
- Master of Science in Electrical & Electronic Engineering - Masters Degree, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Computer & Information) - Bachelor Degree, International Islamic University Malaysia
Zulkifli Bin Zainal Abidin (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Associate Professor
IIUM Gombak Campus
KULLIYYAH OF ENGINEERING
zzulkifli@iium.edu.my
4527
Expert Profile
Zulkifli bin Zainal Abidin (Assoc. Prof. Eur Ing, Ir. Ts. Gs. Inv. Dr.), a roboticist, completed his B.Eng in Computer and Information Engineering from IIUM in 2003. He pursued his MSc. and Ph.D in Electrical & Electronics (Robotics) from USM, Penang in 2007 and 2013, respectively. Subsequently, he joined the Mechatronics Engineering Department at IIUM, where he has been a faculty member ever since. Zulkifli is extensively involved with industries and government agencies as a consultant and subject expert. Notable collaborators include PDRM, PROTON, MARA, Petronas, Petrosains, Temasek Engineering, Delloyd R&D, Jabil, Prostrain Technologies, MARii, HGIS, SIRIM, Altus Oil & Gas Malaysia, among others. Currently, he serves as the director and co-founder of the Center for Unmanned Technologies (CUTe), a Competence Centre Programme under Industry@University by MITI and KPT. Zulkifli has secured several research projects and grants as a principal, totaling more than RM5 million, primarily from industry funding, with over 10 Research Agreements signed. He holds professional engineering status such as PEng (Ir.) BEM, (EUR ING) European Federation of National Engineering Association, (Gs.) IGRSM, (INV.) IFIA, and (Ts.) MBOT. Additionally, he is recognized as a Chartered Engineer (C.Eng) by the Engineering Council UK (IMarEST) and serves as an executive committee member of IEEE Ocean Engineering Society and SAE International Malaysia. Zulkifli is also certified as HRDF Trainers & Instructors. He is actively involved in academic publications, serving as an author, reviewer, and editorial board member for international and local refereed journals and conference proceedings. His research focuses on the development of robotic platforms for underwater, ground, and space operations, as well as new sensing devices and intelligent control algorithms. Outside academia, Zulkifli is a dedicated trainer in off-road motorsport.
Area of Specialisation
- Natural Science ~ Marine Sciences ~ Marine Underwater Technology ~ Marine Robotics - Unmanned Surface Vessel
- Engineering Tech ~ Engineering And Technology ~ Electrical and Electronic Engineering ~ Robotics and Mechatronics - Robotic
- Engineering Tech ~ Engineering And Technology ~ Automotive Engineering ~ Collision Avoidance Technology - Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Professional Membership
- 2003: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Member), Board of Engineers Malaysia
- 2010: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Member), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- 2017: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Member), Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
Teaching Responsibilities
AUTONOMOUS ROBOTIC SYSTEMS | 2018/2019 |
BASIC GENETICS OF HUMAN DISEASE | 2020/2021 |
DIGITAL LOGIC DESIGN | 2013/2014 |
DIGITAL SYSTEM AND MICROPROCESSOR | 2017/2018 |
DIGITAL SYSTEMS DESIGN | 2007/2008 |
EMBEDDED SYSTEM DESIGN | 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 |
HALAQAH 2 (BROTHER) | 2003/2004 |
INTEGRATED DESIGN PROJECT | 2018/2019 2017/2018 |
INTERGRATED DESIGN PROJECT | 2020/2021 |
MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING LAB II | 2007/2008 |
MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING LAB IV | 2013/2014 |
MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING LAB V | 2013/2014 |
MECHATRONICS INTERFACING LAB | 2018/2019 2017/2018 |
MECHATRONICS LAB III | 2017/2018 2014/2015 2013/2014 2012/2013 |
MECHATRONICS SYSTEM INTEGRATION | 2024/2025 2023/2024 2022/2023 |
MECHATRONICS WORKSHOP | 2017/2018 2015/2016 2014/2015 2013/2014 2012/2013 |
MICROCONTROLLERS BASED DESIGN | 2012/2013 |
MICROPROCESSOR BASED SYSTEMS | 2017/2018 2015/2016 2014/2015 |
PROJECT 1 | 2021/2022 2020/2021 2019/2020 |
Project II | 2021/2022 2020/2021 |
REAL TIME SYSTEMS | 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 |
Remote Sensing and telemetry | 2021/2022 2019/2020 |
ROBOTIC HARDWARE SYSTEMS | 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 |
SEMINAR | 2022/2023 2021/2022 2007/2008 |
UNDERWATER AND AERIAL ROBOTS | 2023/2024 |
Supervision
Towards A Robust One-Stage Detector Against Adversarial Challenges For Automated Number Plate Recognition System.
Ph.D
In Progress
Main Supervisor
|
Novel Deep Learning Based Collision Avoidance System For Unmanned Surface Vehicle.
Ph.D
In Progress
Main Supervisor
|
Egocentric Object Detection Using Cnn For Unmanned Surface Vessel Situational Awareness In Near Shore Environment.
Ph.D
In Progress
Main Supervisor
|
Deep Neural Network Model For Open World Rgb-D Face Recognition
.
Ph.D
In Progress
Co-supervisor
|
Early Detection And Prediction Of Tube Leaks Faults In Pulverised Coal-Fired Boiler Using Deep Neural Network.
Ph.D
In Progress
Co-supervisor
|
Robust Vehicle Detection And Classification With Incremental Learning For Single-Lane Free Flow Tolling System.
Master
Completed
2023
Co-supervisor
|
Robust Automatic License Plate Recognition (Alpr) System At Low Visibility Using Deep Neural Networks.
Master
Completed
2023
Co-supervisor
|
Motion Estimation For 1-Channel Around View Monitoring In Advance Driver Assistance System Using Wide Fish-Eye Camera.
Master
Completed
2022
Co-supervisor
|
Optimization Of Processing Time For Vision Based One-Channel Around View Monitoring System On Embedded Platform.
Master
Completed
2021
Main Supervisor
|
Deep Learning-Based Waterline Detection For Autonomous Surface Vessel Navigation.
Master
Completed
2020
Main Supervisor
|
Improving Time Response For Mobile Robot Using Multiple Microcontroller.
Master
Completed
2020
Co-supervisor
|
Forward Collision Warning System Using Cascade Classifier Of Embedded Platform.
Master
Completed
2020
Co-supervisor
|
Real Time Lane Detection On Embedded Platform For Advanced Driver Assistance System.
Master
Completed
2019
Co-supervisor
|
Study Of Carbon Nanotube Forests Based Two Degree Of Freedom Angle Sensor.
Master
Completed
2019
Co-supervisor
|
Vision Based Single-Shot Real-Time Ego-Lane Estimation And Vehicle Detection For Forward Collision Warning System.
Master
Completed
2019
Co-supervisor
|
Development Of A Buoyancy Control Device For Autonomous Underwater Vehicle.
Master
Completed
2018
Main Supervisor
|
Development Of Obstacle Avoidance System For Autonomous Surface Vessel..
Master
Completed
2018
Main Supervisor
|
Improved Fruit-Fly Swarm Algorithm For Bathymetry Survey By Using Autonomous Surface Vehicles.
Master
Completed
2018
Main Supervisor
|
Investigation On Energy Extraction And Characterization With Value Added Product From Biomass.
Master
Completed
2016
Co-supervisor
|
Design And Analysis Of Gyroscopic Stabilizer For Unmanned Surface Vessel For Anti-Rolling.
Master
In Progress
Co-supervisor
|
Climbing Robot For Cleaning Ship Hull And Oil Tank In Marine And Oilfield Industries.
Master
In Progress
Co-supervisor
|
Development Of Autonomous Scrubber Machine For Industrial Floor Cleaning.
Master
In Progress
Co-supervisor
|
Research Projects
Completed
2021 - 2021 | AI-Based E-Nose for VOC Detection |
2021 - 2022 | Retrofitting works on Semi-Autonomous Cleaning Machine |
2021 - 2024 | Versatile Magnetic Robot for Commercial Use |
2020 - 2020 | AUTOMATED PCB CHECKING WITH AUTO ROTATE/DUAL CAMSYSTEM |
2020 - 2023 | Development of Automated Tubular Cleaning System |
2020 - 2021 | Integrated Database System for Autonomous System (IDSAS) |
2020 - 2023 | Development of an Autonomous Surface Vessel For Sedimentation Investigation In Port |
2020 - 2023 | Predictive Maintenance for Fault Detection |
2020 - 2023 | Development of Smart Tubular Caps Cleaning Process |
2020 - 2020 | Automated Torque Tester |
2019 - 2021 | Trip Health Mobile Apps |
2019 - 2019 | KKR Gimmick Video, Drone and Robot For Sambutan Hari Profesion Teknikal Negara |
2019 - 2022 | Modelling Facial Point Cloud Video as Novel Biometric Using 4D Deep Neural Network for Driver Drowsiness Detection |
2018 - 2022 | P11C2-17 (SMART DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM) |
2018 - 2021 | Predicting Safe Landing Area for Drones Using Fully Convolutional Neural Network |
2018 - 2020 | Service Between Delloyd R&D Sdn. Bhd., IIUM for CREST I-Grasp Process |
2017 - 2017 | Consultancy Services on Navigation Set with Instrument Controller |
2017 - 2019 | Development of Advanced Driver Assistance System (Professional Service on Algorithm Design) |
2017 - 2019 | Development Of Advanced Driver Assistance System (System Integration) |
2017 - 2020 | RoBlind for visually impaired people: Prototype Upscaling and Field Testing |
2016 - 2019 | Development of a Prototype of Carbon Nanotube based Angular Sensor |
2016 - | Development of Smart Interior Rear View Mirror (IRVM) |
2015 - 2018 | Development of Multi-Agent Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) for Hydrography Survey |
2015 - 2019 | Upscaling, Testing and Optimization of a Rolling Bouncing Spherical Robot for Surveillance and Monitoring |
2015 - 2017 | Development of Multi Agent Marine Robots using MOOS-IvP Autonomy Software |
2015 - 2017 | Accelerated Learning Program for Robotic Competition |
2013 - 2015 | Development of Multi-Agent Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) System Bathymetry Survey |
2008 - 2009 | Smart Anti Flooding System |
2007 - 2011 | Feature Based Navigation and Sector Based Localisation for Autonomous Mobile Robot |
On-Going
2024 - Present | Kajian Kebolehlaksanaan Pembangunan National Border Control System (NBCS) |
2024 - Present | Development of Secure Embedded Telematic Control Unit (T-Box) for Connected Vehicle with Cloud-based Data Acquisition and Analytics |
2024 - Present | Knowledge Transfer Programme: Program Penjana Di Bawah Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi - Pensijilan Profesional (KPT-PACE) 2023 |
2024 - Present | Knowledge Transfer Programme: Malaysia Autonomous Vehicle Challenge (MAVEC '24) |
2023 - Present | 1. Transfer Board Expansion Pack 2. Assistive Rotator Cuff |
2023 - Present | Development of Comprehensive Training Modules on Practical Deep Learning and Autonomous Robotics |
2022 - Present | "CXSense System For SURAYA Unmanned Surface Vessel Fleet" |
2021 - Present | Intelligent Real-time Crowd Monitoring System using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Video and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Data |
2021 - Present | The Development of the Medical Assistance Robot, MediBOT |
2020 - Present | Development of an Autonomous Seabed Mapping System |
2020 - Present | Industry@University: 4IR Competence Centre |
2019 - Present | Development of Ocean-Grade ASV for geo inspection and survey application |
2017 - Present | Development of Advanced Driver Assistance System (Algorithm Design) |
2017 - Present | Development of A Modular, Scalable System of Adas Simulator |
2017 - Present | Development Algorithms for Adas Functions Based on Camera Sensors |
2016 - Present | Analytical Modeling of Relationship Between Frontal Facial Thermal Imprint and Affective States In Human Machine Interaction for Children with Brain Malformation |
2016 - Present | Investigation of Flight Dynamics, Stability and Control of Beetle-Mimicking Flapping Wings |
2014 - Present | AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS AND ROBOTICS RESEARCH UNIT |
Award & Recognition
02 Sep, 2016 | Promising Researcher Award - International Islamic University Malaysia | University |
Publications
Article
Conference or Workshop Item
2022 | Radar-based collision avoidance on Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV). In: 2022 IEEE 9th International Conference on Underwater System Technology: Theory and Applications (USYS), |
2022 | Visual detection of biofouling using hue-saturation-value (HSV) colour for ship hull cleaning robot. In: 8th International Conference on Mechatronics Engineering (ICOM 2022), |
2020 | Car detection using cascade classifier on embedded platform. In: 7th International Conference on Mechatronics Engineering, ICOM 2019, |
2020 | Deep learning-based water segmentation for autonomous surface vessel. In: 10th IGRSM International Conference and Exhibition on Geospatial & Remote Sensing, |
2020 | Design and development of mini autonomous surface vessel for bathymetric survey. In: Proceedings of the 11th National Technical Seminar on Unmanned System Technology 2019, |
2020 | Motion estimation on homogenous surface for around view monitoring system. In: "7th International Conference on Mechatronics Engineering, ICOM 2019", |
2019 | Development of eCall for Malaysia's automotive industries. In: "7th International Conference on Mechatronics Engineering, ICOM 2019", |
2018 | Development and fieldwork trial of autonomous surface vehicles for bathymetry mapping. In: 7th IEEE International Conference on Underwater System Technology: Theory and Applications, USYS 2017, |
2018 | Low-cost remotely operated underwater vehicle for underwater observation purposes. In: 7th IEEE International Conference on Underwater System Technology: Theory and Applications, USYS 2017, |
2017 | Accelerated learning programme for robotic competition. In: 3rd National Conference on Knowledge Transfer (NCKT'16), |
2017 | Tilt compensated mechanical measurement mechanism for very shallow water USV bathymetry. In: 2016 IEEE 6th International Conference on Underwater System Technology: Theory and Applications (IEEE USYS 2016), |
2016 | Chicken farm monitoring system. In: 6th International Conference on Computer and Communication Engineering 2016 (ICCCE 2016), |
2016 | Design and development of an autonomous surface vessel for inland water depth monitoring. In: 6th International Conference on Computer and Communication Engineering (ICCCE 2016), |
2016 | Development of a buoyancy control device for autonomous underwater vehicle. In: 2016 IEEE 6th International Conference on Underwater System Technology: Theory and Applications (IEEE USYS 2016), |
2014 | Analysis of artificial neural network and viola-jones algorithm based moving object detection. In: International Conference on Computer and Communication Engineering (ICCCE 2014), |
2010 | A novel fly optimization algorithm for swarming application. In: 2010 IEEE Conference on Robotics, Automation and Mechatronics, |
2010 | Bukit Merah Lake contour mapping using swarm of mini ASVs. In: International Conference on Intelligent Unmanned Systems (ICIUS 2010), |
2010 | Control of mini autonomous surface vessel. In: OCEANS '10 IEEE, |
2010 | GPS boundary navigation of DrosoBots using MATLAB simulation. In: 3rd IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Information Technology (ICCSIT 2010), |
2010 | Waypoint control of drosobots: swarms of mini ASVs. In: 2010 IEEE Symposium on Industrial Electronics and Applications, |