Associate ProfessorZoran Najdovski

Associate Professor, Multipoint Haptics

Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment/Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation

  • Associate Professor, Multipoint Haptics
    Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment/Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation
  • +61 3 522 72430 (Work)
  • Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Associate Professor Zoran Najdovski's research focuses on Intelligent Human-Centric Systems, Robotics and Mechatronics, exploring how robotic technologies can be designed to enhance human capability, safety, and performance in complex environments.

 

His work integrates robotics, sensing, control, haptics, teleoperation, and intelligent automation to enable effective interaction between people and technology. A key focus is understanding how human–machine systems can support decision-making, perception, and control in remote, hazardous, and safety-critical applications.

 

Through a design-led, translational research approach, he develops robotic and mechatronic systems as experimental platforms that support both scientific discovery and real-world validation. This research spans human–machine interaction, immersive simulation, human performance systems, intelligent automation, and robotic technologies for defence, healthcare, transport, manufacturing, and industrial safety.

 

His research aims to advance human-centric robotics while accelerating the translation of research into deployable technologies that improve safety, operational performance, workforce capability, and societal outcomes.

GRANTS

  • GRANT
    Leveraging Systems Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Enhance Military Engineer Vehicle Capabilities and Reduce Operator Risk
    18 Sep 2025 - 18 Sep 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    The Centre for Advanced Defence Research in Robotics and Autonomous Systems - No: 12844 - $158,604.00
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Research Study: Nail Gun Safety
    24 Feb 2025 - 24 Aug 2025
    People funded by this grant:
    Bowen & Pomeroy Pty Ltd - $175,330.36
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Cleaning Robot - Extension Phase
    15 Feb 2025 - 1 Dec 2025
    People funded by this grant:
    Downer EDI Rail - $328,888.00
  • GRANT
    Reliable Haptic Communication Platform for Remote Learning in Disadvantaged Communities
    2 Feb 2025 - 14 Dec 2025
    People funded by this grant:
    auDA Foundation grant awards - $40,000.00
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Cleaning Robot (CBot)
    1 Mar 2023 - 1 Dec 2025
    People funded by this grant:
    Downer EDI Rail - $863,966.00
  • COLLABORATIVE GRANT
    Agriculture Plant Safer Equipment Research
    18 Oct 2021 - 17 Feb 2022
    People funded by this grant:
    WorkSafe Victoria - $45,324.64
  • COLLABORATIVE GRANT
    Light Insight Trial (LiT)
    22 Apr 2021 - 21 Apr 2023
    People funded by this grant:
    iMove Australia Limited - 3-016 - $282,200.00
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Understanding potential AAM and cargo drone markets for an Australian manufactured drone - market
    12 Apr 2021 - 30 May 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    Quickstep Technologies Pty Ltd - $71,842.00
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Study of automated boarding lifts and Disability Standard compliance for Next Generation Trams
    1 Dec 2020 - 31 Jan 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    Alstom Transport Australia - $30,000.00
  • GRANT
    Low-Cost Advanced Motion Training for Aircrew Safety and Human Performance
    Defence Innovation Hub1 Apr 2020 - 1 Apr 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Mohajer N,
    • Asadi H,
    • Salaken S,
    • Mohamed S,
    • Najdovski Z
    DoD Grant - Research - Department of Defence
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Army Autonomous vehicle research
    DoD Grant - Research - Department of Defence6 Feb 2020 - 6 Feb 2021
    $5,366,000
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Virtual Reality Controller (Phase 2)
    Thales Australia1 Jan 2019 - 1 Jul 2019
    People funded by this grant:
    • Mohajer N,
    • Wei L,
    • Najdovski Z
    Thales Australia
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Virtual Reality Controller (Phase 1)
    Thales Australia2 Jan 2018 - 1 Jul 2018
    People funded by this grant:
    • Najdovski Z,
    • Mohajer N,
    • Wei L
    Thales Australia
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Autonomous electric Vehicle - URP2016 -3003R
    8 Jun 2017 - 2 May 2018
    People funded by this grant:
    Ford USA Grant - Research - $128,874.17
  • GRANT
    Low-Cost High-G Centrifuge
    Defence Innovation Hub1 Feb 2016 - 1 Feb 2018
    People funded by this grant:
    • Najdovski Z,
    • Mohajer N
    DoD Grant - Research - Department of Defence
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    High-fidelity multi-platform driver trainer (Phase 2)
    ADF Army1 Jan 2016 - 1 Jan 2017
    People funded by this grant:
    • Nelson K,
    • Mullins J,
    • Fielding M,
    • Najdovski Z,
    • Watson M
    DoD Grant - Research - Department of Defence
  • INTERNAL GRANT
    Haptically Enabled Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgical System
    1 Jan 2015 - 20 Nov 2015
    People funded by this grant:
    • Dalvand M,
    • Mullins J,
    • Fielding M,
    • Najdovski Z,
    • Watson M
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    High-fidelity multi-platform driver trainer (Phase 1)
    ADF Army1 Jan 2015 - 1 Jan 2016
    People funded by this grant:
    • Nelson K,
    • Mullins J,
    • Fielding M,
    • Najdovski Z,
    • Watson M
    DoD Grant - Research - Department of Defence
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Haptically-Enabled Robotics
    25 Aug 2014 - 25 Aug 2015
    People funded by this grant:
    Telstra Corporation - $496,594.00
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Queensland Police OzBot Robot Development
    22 May 2014 - 31 Dec 2014
    People funded by this grant:
    QldPolice Queensland Police Service - $209,600.00
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    MBITR Battery Testing
    9 Apr 2014 - 13 Jun 2014
    People funded by this grant:
    DoD Grant - Research - Department of Defence - $24,500.00
  • GRANT
    Commercial Prototype Intelligent Tastic
    IXL Geelong1 Jan 2014 - 20 Nov 2014
    People funded by this grant:
    • Najdovski Z,
    • Mullins J
    Victorian Voucher Program
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Modular Small Arms Platform (MSAP)
    DSTO1 Jan 2012 - 19 Dec 2012
    People funded by this grant:
    • Najdovski Z,
    • Dalvand M,
    • Black T
    Department of Defence
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Gantry-Tau Robotic Wrist Research
    Boeing1 Jan 2009 - 1 Dec 2009
    People funded by this grant:
    • Najdovski Z
  • CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Haptically-Enabled Counter IED Mobile Robotic System
    Capability & Technology Demonstrator Program1 Jan 2009 - 1 Nov 2012
    People funded by this grant:
    • Mullins J,
    • Fielding M,
    • Najdovski Z
    DoD Grant - Research - Department of Defence