When: 13th of November, 1:00pm AEDT
Where: This seminar will be partially presented at the ACFR seminar area, J04 lvl 2 (Rose St Building) and partially online via Zoom. RSVP
Speaker: group presentation led by Dr Helia Farhood
Title: Electric and Smart Two-Wheel Tractors for Cambodia: Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Mechanisation
Abstract:
The Electrified Two-Wheel Tractor (e2WT) project is a multi-disciplinary ACIAR-funded initiative led by the University of Sydney in partnership with Cambodian institutions. The project aims to support smallholder farmers through the development of an electrified smart two-wheel tractor platform integrated with AI-enabled sensing, control, and decision-support tools.
We will introduce the motivation and vision behind the program, building on ACFR’s history of agricultural robotics in Australia and the Pacific. The seminar will outline key technical streams, including electrification architecture, camera-based ground-speed estimation, and slip sensing for enhanced traction and control. We will also present participatory research activities, including farmer workshops and AI-assisted thematic analysis to understand user needs, gendered labour barriers, and adoption challenges.
By combining robotics, AI, and inclusive design, this project aims to deliver affordable mechanisation solutions that improve productivity, support environmental goals, and strengthen rural livelihoods in Cambodia.
Bio:
This is a group presentation led by Dr Helia Farhood, with contributions from Prof Salah Sukkarieh (Project Lead), Dr Erik Muller (Technical Staff— Electrification and Systems Integration), and Mr Faisal Al Matar (PhD Student— Sensing and Control).
Dr Helia Farhood is a Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, working within the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) and serves as the Research Lead for the Electrified Two-Wheel Tractor (e2WT) project. Prior to joining USYD, she held a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position at Macquarie University. She completed her PhD in Computer Systems and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Her research expertise spans artificial intelligence, machine learning, generative AI, and image and video processing, with a focus on developing AI-driven solutions for real-world, socially impactful applications.