Meet the Researcher: Assoc Prof Zoran Najdovski

What are you currently working on?

I am leading the Autonomous Robotic Cleaners project for Downer EDI Rail. This project is based on the design and development of a two-robot solution for autonomously cleaning the interior of Victoria’s new High-Capacity Metro Trains.

Each platform is dedicated to specific cleaning activities to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness. One focusing on the floor, and the other on cleaning a range of complex surfaces such as the seats and windows.

Alongside this, I am also working with the IISRI team to conduct a research study to assess the feasibility of developing a technology-based safety system that can protect a nail gun operator and nearby persons from line of fire injuries in the high-risk industry.

In addition, a newly developed internship program with the Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO) is underway to support our engineering and IT undergraduate students to help develop a better class of engineering graduate with better practical skills and a more complete knowledge base.

While undertaking these industry projects, I am also supervising PhD students. I have a strong commitment to teaching, mentoring, and academic leadership and this part of my role is very rewarding.

What led you to your area of expertise?

I was always fascinated with technology. At an early age I was taking things apart to try to understand how they work, first radios and remote-control cars, moving onto lawn mower engines and eventually cars and their engines. In high school, I really enjoyed the applied theoretical subjects in physics and electronics. I always preferred the application of the theoretical teachings to something practical, especially if it was an electro-mechanical system that could move or drive.

What was your biggest highlight for 2024?

In 2024, the ARC (Autonomous Robotic Cleaners) project team delivered a major milestone for the project with Downer Rail. The two robotic systems were successfully deployed to operate autonomously within the train environment. This was a huge milestone for the project and a major win for the team.

Due to its success, we secured an extension phase for the project to extend the capability of the robots, which is continuing into 2025, with its completion due in early August 2025. The completion of this phase has resulted in the two robots being deployed and used by the Downer cleaning teams on the train during their deep cleaning operations for User Acceptance Testing. This marks a great first step in the application of these systems in a real-world environment with real world benefits.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really enjoy applying my research to solve real-world challenges. Working with a great team means we can tackle any research problems across robotics, automation, and intelligent manufacturing. Meeting with clients to identify and discuss their challenges and working with them to design and apply our solution is something I really enjoy. Bringing together a skilled multi-disciplinary team means we can design, develop, test and deploy solutions at a high TRL (Technology Readiness Level), allowing our clients to benefit from taking a mature solution more easily, with faster steps towards commercialisation.

If you could solve one challenge through your research, what would it be?

To bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and everyday users by designing solutions that are intuitive, accessible, and human-centred. My goal is to ensure that advanced intelligent systems across robotics, automation and AI, can be seamlessly integrated into daily life without requiring users to have technical expertise. By enhancing the natural interaction between humans and intelligent systems, my research aims to make the benefits available to a broader population, enabling the everyday person.

This article was originally published in the 2024 IISRI Annual Report.