Current research interests

Edutainment and Gamification of Educational materials:

- Creating interactive and gamified online educational platforms, websites and mobile applications (for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android & Linux) to create highly engaging, effective, enjoyable and addictive learning experiences for students at all levels (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and Postgraduate students), using modern software frameworks such as MERN (MongoDB, Express, React and Node.js), Cloud hosting technologies (AWS - Amazon Web Services), and applying high-performance 3D, VR and computer game technologies (like Blender, Unreal Engine 5, motion capture and modern  game development tools).  These technologies can be used for VR training, remote machine control or lab experiments.

- High-performance Web 3.0 (blockchain & P2P networks) and dApp (distributed Application) development for online education and remote machine hardware  control and lab experiments.

Future research interests

Mobile Robots:

- Agricultural robots and machinery: automatic and remote-controlled soil tilling, planting, harvesting and packing operations

- Construction robots & machinery: automatic and remote-controlled  materials transportation & handling, cooperative assembly (for static structures, buildings, large vehicles, spacecraft and marine vessels) and mobile robots for building large-scale machines and other robots - on Earth, in space, or on other planets or moons.

- Autonomous exploration and surveying robots:  for mapping and space applications using satellite communication technologies

Soft Robotics:

- Using servo-pneumatics and reluctance motor technologies to develop robotic manipulators similar to elephant trunks and octopus legs.

My four years of Ph.D research focused on controlling the position, speed and force of pneumatic actuators by controlling air flow and air cylinder pressures using novel electromagnetic proportional-flow valves, which was successfully achieved using "interrupt-driven" software running on microcontroller chips.  (See the video below: "Force, speed and position control of pneumatic cylinders"... )

Peer-reviewed publications

(43) S. N. Cubero, M. Badi, M. Al Ali, and M. Alshehhi, "A high-speed camel dung collection machine", Paper 080, in Proc. 26th Int. Conf. on Mechatronics and Machine Vision In Practice (M2VIP 2019), Dec 3-5, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.

(42) S. N. Cubero, “A Review of State-of-the-Art Simulation and Motion Capture Technologies for Practical Training and Education”, Paper CF8016, in Proc. Int. Conf. on Advanced Technology Innovation ICATI 2018, June 27-30, Krabi, Thailand.

(41) S. N. Cubero, "Strategies for Self-Regulated Learning using VR", in Proc. 5th International Conference on Sciences, Technology and Social Sciences (ICSTSS), Dubai, UAE, 2017

(40) S. N. Cubero, "Essential communication skills for engineers, scientists and multi-disciplinary teams", in Proc. Int. Conf. on Society, Education and Psychology (ICSEP 2016), Paper No. PS10017, IEDRC.org, Dubai, UAE, 2016.

(39) S. N. Cubero, "Over-speeding Warning System using Wireless Communications for Road Signs and Vehicles," in Proc. 13th Int. Conf. on Engineering & Technology, Computer, Basic & Applied Sciences, (ECBA 2016), 10-11 June, Dubai, UAE, 2016.  (ISBN No. 978-969-670-549-9)

(38) S. N. Cubero, "A fun and effective self-learning approach to teaching microcontrollers and mobile robotics", in IJEEE (International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education); vol. 52, 4: pp. 298-319, October, 2015  http://ije.sagepub.com/content/52/4/298.abstract 

(37) N. Pasha-Zaidi, E. Afari, J. Mohammed, S. N. Cubero, A. M. Shoukry, and W. El-Sokkary, “Gender -Based teams:  Perceptions of team satisfaction and effectiveness among engineering students in the United Arab Emirates” in International Journal of Engineering Education. Vol. 31, No.4, pp.953-966, 2015.

(36) Cubero, S. N. 2015. "A Mobile Manipulator Arm for Assisting the Frail Elderly and Infirm," Machine Vision and Mechatronics in Practice, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, Print ISBN 978-3-662-45513-5, Online ISBN 978-3-662-45514-2 (eBook), pp 135-147, http://www.springer.com/engineering/robotics/book/978-3-662-45513-5 

(35) S. N. Cubero, J. Billingsley, "Game Development Tools for Simulating Robots and Creating Interactive Learning Experiences," Machine Vision and Mechatronics in Practice, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, Print ISBN 978-3-662-45513-5, Online ISBN 978-3-662-45514-2 (eBook), pp 113-134, 2015.   http://www.springer.com/engineering/robotics/book/978-3-662-45513-5 

(34) S. N. Cubero, J. Billingsley, "Design Concepts for an Energy-Efficient Amphibious Unmanned Underwater Vehicle," Machine Vision and Mechatronics in Practice, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, Print ISBN 978-3-662-45513-5, Online ISBN 978-3-662-45514-2 (eBook), pp 209-223, 2015, http://www.springer.com/engineering/robotics/book/978-3-662-45513-5 

(33) S. N. Cubero, "Developing the Creativity and Design Skills of Mechatronic Engineering Students with Labs and Robot Competitions," Machine Vision and Mechatronics in Practice, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, Print ISBN 978-3-662-45513-5, Online ISBN 978-3-662-45514-2 (eBook), pp 287-307, 2015, http://www.springer.com/engineering/robotics/book/978-3-662-45513-5 

(32) S. N. Cubero, "A Mechatronic Spotting System that mimics Human Weight-training Assistance Behavior," In International Journal of Embedded Systems (IJES), IJNNGT, Journal ISSN Online: 2356-5942, Journal ISSN Print: 2382-2562, Vol. 1, July 30, 2014, http://www.ijnngt.org/upload/journal9/p7.pdf 

(31) S. Sorby, S. N. Cubero, N. Pasha-Zaidi, H. Karki, "Spatial Skills of Students in the United Arab Emirates," In Proceedings for the Engineering Leaders Conference on Engineering Education, Doha, Qatar, 2014.

(30) S. Scott, J. Ahmad, S. N. Cubero, K. Alhammadi, J. Mohammed, “Multidisciplinary panel critiques design performance,” In Conference proceedings for the 121st American Society of Engineering Education annual conference and Exposition Indianapolis, IN, USA, 2014.

(29) S. N. Cubero, J. Billingsley, “Simulating the kinematics and motions of robotic manipulators using 3D game development tools,”  In Proc. 20th Int. Conf. on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice (M2VIP 2013), Sep. 19, Ankara, Turkey, pp. 143-155, 2013.

(28) S. N. Cubero, "Simulation and Control of Robot Arms and Manipulators using Blind Adaptive Search Inverse Kinematics," International Journal of Simulation, Systems, Science and Technology (IJSSST), vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 35-50, 2012.  ISSN 1473-8031 print, 1473-804x online.  UK.

(27) S. N. Cubero, “Design concepts for a hybrid swimming and walking vehicle”, Journal Procedia Engineering, vol. 41, no. 39, pp. 271-280.  ISSN 1877-7058, 10.1016/j.proeng.2012.07.303.  Also in Proc. International Symposium on Robotics and Intelligent Sensors (IRIS 2012), Paper No. 4, Session A42 (CD-ROM disc), Kuching, Malaysia, 2012.

(26) S. N. Cubero, “Robotic horse-training technologies for cutting and campdrafting competitions”, Journal Procedia Engineering, vol. 41, no. 169, pp. 1211-1220, 2012.  ISSN 1877-7058, 10.1016/j.proeng.2012 .07.303.  Also in Proc. International Symposium on Robotics and Intelligent Sensors (IRIS 2012), Paper No. 5, Session D23 (CD-ROM disc), Kuching, Malaysia.

(25) S. N. Cubero, “Automatic shape recognition of hand gestures using an edge-tracing vision system”, International Journal of Image Processing and Visual Communication, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 1-6, 2012.  ISSN (Online) 2319-1724.

(24) S. N. Cubero, “A robotic arm for electric scooters,” Intelligent Technologies for Bridging the Grey Digital Divide, J. Soar, R. Swindell, Rick, P. Tsang, (Eds.), Abu Dhabi, UAE, IGI Global, pp. 94-109, 2011.

(23) S. N. Cubero, J. Billingsley, and J. Mohammed, “Mechanical design of an amphibious walking and swimming robot,” Proc. 18th International Conference on Mechatronics & Machine Vision in Practice (M2VIP), Brisbane, Australia, 2011.

(22) J. Mohammed, S. N. Cubero, J. and Ahmad, “Developing alloys using metal deposition”, in Proceedings of the Arab school for science and technology – new frontiers in material science and technology, Kuwait, 2010.

(21) S. N. Cubero, “ESRA – Electric Scooter Robot Arm,” for M2VIP 2010 IEEE conference proceedings on CD-ROM.  Editors: Robin Bradbeer & John Billingsley.  Australia, 2010.

(20) S. N. Cubero, “Designing competitions to enhance mechatronic engineering education”, for M2VIP 2010 IEEE conference proceedings on CD-ROM, 2010.  Editors: Robin Bradbeer & John Billingsley. Australia, 2010.

(19) J. Worden, S. Goh, L. Brodie, H. Zhou, S. N. Cubero, “A case study on the revitalisation of a 2nd level year engineering and spatial science PBL course”, Proc. AaeE 2009 conference, Adelaide, Australia, 2009.

(18) S. N. Cubero, “Blind Search Inverse Kinematics for controlling all types of Serial-link robot arms,” Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice – Editors: Billingsley, J and Bradbeer, R. ISBN: 978-3-540-74026-1.  pp 229-246, Australia, 2008.

(17) J. Portlock, S. N. Cubero, “Dynamics and Control of a VTOL Quad-Thrust Aerial Robot,” Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice – Editors: Billingsley, J and Bradbeer, R.  ISBN: 978-3-540-74026-1.  pp 27-40, 2008.

(16) S. N. Cubero (Editor).  “Industrial Robotics: Theory, Modelling & Control”.  pIV leterature, Verlag Robert Mayer-Scholz.  Advanced Robotics Systems (ARS) International  ISBN: 3-86611-285-8  (952 pages), Germany, 2007.

(15) K. Sanathkumara, S. N. Cubero, “Automated Soil Hardness Testing Machine”.  Proceedings of M2VIP 2006 14th International IEEE Conference on Mechatronics & Machine Vision in Practice, Xiamen, China.  ISSN: 1908-1162.  2006.

(14) J. Portlock, S. N. Cubero, "QTAR:  Quad Thrust Aerial Robot".  Proceedings of M2VIP 2006 13th International IEEE Conference on Mechatronics & Machine Vision in Practice, Toowoomba QLD, Australia.  ISSN: 1908-1162.  2006.

(13) B. Frost, S. N. Cubero, “Development of a 3D laser scanner for guiding a six-legged walking robot ”.  Proceedings of M2VIP 2005 12th International IEEE Conference on Mechatronics & Machine Vision in Practice, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines.  ISSN: 1908-1162.  pp 26-36, 2005.

(12) D. Tjoe, S. N. Cubero, “A low-cost vision guided car for autonomous racing car competitions, ”.  Proceedings of M2VIP 2005 12th International IEEE Conference on Mechatronics & Machine Vision in Practice, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines.  ISSN: 1908-1162. pp 1-14, 2005.

(11) S. N. Cubero, “Teaching Mechatronic Engineers how to build intelligent machines”, Invited 3 hour presentation, Proceedings of M2VIP 2005 12th International IEEE Conference on Mechatronics & Machine Vision in Practice, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines (CD-ROM), 2005.

(10) S. N. Cubero, “A general purpose inverse kinematics algorithm for all manipulators”.  Proceedings of M2VIP 2004 11th Int’l IEEE Conference on Mechatronics & Machine Vision in Practice, Macau, China, 2004.

(9) S. N. Cubero, J. Layanto, M. Goode, “Autonomous Racing Car Competition for Mechatronic Engineering Education”.  Mechatronics and Machine Vision 2003: Future Trends.  Research Studies Press.  ISBN: 0-86380-290-7.  pp 9-16, 2003.  (Also published on the M2VIP 2003 10th IEEE International Conference on Mechatronics and Machine Vision In Practice Conference Proceedings CD-ROM  ISBN 962-442-246-X.)

(8) S. N. Cubero, “A 6-legged Hybrid Walking and Wheeled Vehicle”.  Proc 7th International Conference on Mechatronics and Machnie Vision in Practice (M2VIP), Hervey Bay, QLD, Australia, September 19 – 21, 2000, pp. 293-302 "Mechatronics and Machine Vision", Research Studies Press, ISBN: 0 86380 261 3.

(7) S. N. Cubero, “Design of a six-legged passenger carrying hybrid walking vehicle with four-wheel-drive capability”.  Proc 2nd International Conference on CLimbing And Walking Robots (CLAWAR), pp. 361-372, September, 1999, Portsmouth, UK, "CLAWAR: CLimbing And WAlking Robots", ISBN 186058 207 9.

(6) S. N. Cubero,  “Force, compliance and position control for a pneumatic quadruped robot”.  PhD dissertation, Submitted Nov. 1997 - University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba. Australia. 2 Volumes (approximately 1,500 pages).  Doctoral PhD was awarded in September 1998 by the Vice-Chancellor of USQ.  1998.

(5) S. N. Cubero, J. Billingsley, J., “Force, compliance and position control for a space frame manipulator,”  in Proc 4th International Conference on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice (M2VIP), 22-24th Sep., pp. 124-130, 1997.

(4) S. N. Cubero, J. Billingsley, “Automatic control of a surface adapting, four-legged wall climbing robot”, Mechatronics '96 With Mechatronics & Machine Vision in Practice '96, University of Minho, Geuimaraes Portugal, September 1996, pp 1.135-1.142.

(3) S. N. Cubero, J. Billingsley J., “A novel proportional gas valve for mechatronics applications”.  Proc 2nd International Conference on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice (M2VIP), Kowloon, Hong Kong, 1995, ISBN 962-442-076-9 (Patent filed in 1995 by National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture or NCEA, QLD)

(2) J. Billingsley, S. N. Cubero, “High speed manipulators for agricultural applications”, Proc. 1995 National Conference of the Australian Robot Association, Melbourne, July 1995, pp 54-58.

(1) S. N. Cubero, J. Billingsley, “Automatic surface transition adaptation for a quadrupedal space frame robot”, Proc. Second International Conference on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice, Hong Kong, September 12-14, 1995, pp 113-118.

NOTE:  There are a few more papers - not listed above – that were not published to protect commercial interests & proprietary secrets.

Google Scholar citations: (click on “29 ARTICLES” to view PDF papers or abstracts) 

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=new_articles&hl=en&imq=Samuel+Cubero 

Example paper:  (PDF format)  http://ijssst.info/Vol-13/No-2/paper5.pdf    

Research Gate.net citations: (click to view many indexed PDF papers or abstracts)

https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/2067206054_Samuel_N_Cubero?claimPup=true  

Research & Development

I was the inventor, co-inventor or project supervisor of over a dozen original practical inventions and new commercialized products (e.g. the first LDA - "Lane Departure Alarm" machine-vision safety device for motor vehicles that wakes up or alerts sleepy or careless drivers if their road vehicle is inadvertently drifting laterally out of its road lane - defined by the painted road lines; An automatic soil hardness testing machine; An automatic hard-hat 'Drop test' safety standard testing machine; Australia's first UAV / flying drone built in 2006 that was later commercialized; An electric scooter for elderly people fitted with a robotic arm designed for picking up and retrieving heavy products off grocery store shelves; An award-winning computer-controlled cooling suit for outdoor workers;  A PC-controlled 3D environment scanner and graphics imaging software, etc.), and several other mechatronic automation systems used in factories and different industries.  I published one technical book (about robotics research) and authored or co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed papers for International Journals, Conference Proceedings and book chapters, and several applications for patents and research grants.  I was a member of research teams that won several competitive research grants (UAE - United Arab Emirates Government; and ADNOC - Abu Dhabi National Oil Company), and received funds and research equipment (donated) from local businesses to support research activities that interested them.  (e.g. FESTO Australia, Prime Hydraulics, SICK Australia, Scooters Australia, and a few other local businesses.)  I also supervised postgraduate research students (Ph.D and Masters students) who successfully developed new working hardware for applications in the mining, drilling and manufacturing industries.

My Ph.D project supervisor (from 1994 to 1998) was Professor John Billingsley...  I did not know this when I first met him, but he is the world-famous inventor and developer of the first working laser printer, called the laser phototypesetter (the 'grandfather' of the modern laser printer), developed at Cambridge in the UK.  John also designed and programmed the world's first vision-guided automatic steering system for farm tractors; and several remote-operated mobile robots used for video inspection and remote maintenance work in nuclear power plants.  John also created over a dozen other inventions, including a fly-by-wire autopilot for aircraft and a toaster sensor for detecting the darkness of toasted slices of bread!  He once told me that he went to Russia for a few weeks to help the Russians design their control system to land the first lunar lander safely on the Moon's surface.  In previous years, the Russian moon lander research team had crashed several moon landers ... however, after implementing John's control algorithm, the following year, the first successful moon landing was achieved with a perfect gentle landing (and no mechanical damage)!  I was very fortunate to have learned a lot from John in the areas of practical mechatronics, electronics, motion control and machine-vision programming.  John Billingsley is incredibly knowledgeable and creative... a very successful world-class inventor and innovator ... As long as I have known him, John is always coming up with new ideas, and has a similar mindset to  Steve Wozniak (who invented and built the world's first personal home computer with a keyboard and a TV as a graphical display screen - known as the "Apple 1").  Steve Wozniak also invented several other useful technologies that were critical for the development of the modern personal computer, including the controller for the first floppy disk drive which made data access (read and write) operations much faster than magnetic tape drives.  These two men changed the world with their highly original thinking!  In my opinion, some of the most interesting videos on YouTube are interviews with inventors like Steve Wozniak.

I greatly admire and respect inventors and original technology developers, the kind described in the book "The innovators", because they have made big and positive changes worldwide, and have created new industries and more job opportunities for many.  Also, new inventions and useful scientific knowledge can be enjoyed and used by people today and by many future generations of people... Research work, papers, books and video recordings describing people's great achievements, ideas and inventions can be used for many centuries, or even thousands of years into the future.  As long as there are people around to access copies of your published work or inventions, and they can understand it and benefit from it, your ideas and contributions can (theoretically) go on 'living forever', or indefinitely and continue to help people... Future generations of people can appreciate your work and your legacy, just like thousands of people today still enjoy listening to the memorable tunes of Mozart and Bach, who lived hundreds of years ago... Just like billions of people today enjoy the benefits of AC power, first developed by Nikola Tesla.  This is a form of human immortality worth pursuing... Our good work can still be useful, long after we are no longer around.  If you are looking for a great purpose in life, try to become the next big thinker like a Wozniak, or a Billingsley... try to invent and create new technologies that will change the world for the better, and create more jobs and opportunities for people.  We all need to think about solutions to solve big problems like rising unemployment, food shortages (hunger), poverty, homelessness, sickness, wars, and worsening inflation...   We should also design and build giant spaceships, like the ones in Star Trek, or Star Wars, to help mankind explore this vast Universe.  I sincerely hope to live long enough to see mankind visit and colonize other planets, like Mars, or other planets in other solar systems...  I believe this should be the aim for many of today's engineers and Universities...  to prepare mankind to explore space and live safely on giant spaceships and on other planets!  

Examples