Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering Monash University

Spark Night 2019 is only hours away! Come see the projects of our final year students!

Here’s a sneak peak! Meet James and Cameron!

“Using quite affordable and mostly hobbyist components we were able to detect, track, and predict the tennis ball’s motion and then move the target into position in 300ms. The mechanical system uses an uncommon belt configuration which allows the target to move in 2-axis while both motors remain fixed in their position. We were also able to run our cheap raspberry pi cameras at 120 frames per second!

There are so many ways this project can be expanded, or the techniques used for other projects. This project shows that high speed object tracking can be achieved with cheap hobby components, and there are much more advanced algorithms that could be investigated and tested within the system. We also never pushed our mechanical system to its upper limit, so there is still space to explore just how fast a belt-driven 2-axis system like this can go. This technology could be used in areas like sports training equipment, games like darts, or even areas like automated fruit picking.”

James Rowe and Cameron Brown, Ball Catching Robot

See more details of Spark Night 2019 at www.ecsespark.com

In the lead up to Spark Night 2019, we want to show more of our students and their hard work!

Meet David.

"My FYP consists of integrating several components into one working system. It is reflective of what my degree has taught me over the years.

Today’s society is moving towards an era where repetitive tasks are given to autonomous machines. This project demonstrates that you can implement automation for anything you can think of! For example, my project is a proof of concept that helps assemble consistent replications of the bionic eye.

I combined my skills and knowledge in mechanics, robotics, computer vision, electrical engineering and computer coding to deliver this project. I would love to take you through my journey and final creation at Spark Night 2019.”

- David Glover, Bionic Vision Implant Robotic Assembly

To find out more about David's work as well as how to register for Spark Night 2019, visit www.ecsespark.com

All year long Monash University Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering students have been working on their final year projects and it's that time again where they'll be showcasing their hard work on Spark night 2019!

Come and celebrate their achievements with them and witness the power of , and together!

A big thank you to our sponsors Ausnet Services, TotalSecure, AECOM, EESA, IET, IEEE and SMEE for all their support for the event so far.

Register via: http://www.ecsespark.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/monashecse
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/monash-ecse

DATE: Wednesday 23 October 2019
TIME: 6pm-8pm
PLACE: Foyer/Ground Floor of New Horizons Building (20 Research Way, Clayton)

Heartiest Congratulations to all award winners from the Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering's Award Ceremony held last night. It was a great celebration of high achieving students in their respective year levels in their ECSE course as well as the winners from Spark Night 2018. It's incredible to see the achievements of Monash ECSE students with their high WAM scores along with innovative and inspiring final year projects. It just goes to show how rewarding it can be to follow your passion and the Monash ECSE Faculty is there to support your learning and development with world-class network and resources.

Spark Night 2019 will be held on 23th October this year and the preparations have already started. We are currently looking for sponsors for the event so if you're looking to get involved with the Faculty and engage with Monash talent, let us know and we'll be in touch.

To our students who are taking their exams in the coming weeks, we wish you all the best!

The last two weeks has been busy for us!

Our final year students have presented their projects at Spark Night 2018. We would like to thank our supporters and attendees for coming along to celebrate the completion of our students projects!

Our 3rd year students have completed their Design projects whereby they had to make a robot designed to perform specific tasks in a team!

Sending good vibes to everyone! ✌️

In the lead up to one of our biggest events of the year, we want to show more of our students and their hard work!

Here's the last focus on our students before Spark Night 2018! Meet Adnaan.

“A smart helmet using multichannel EGG and ECG to read brain waves means we can read more information from the brain in a non-invasive method.

This would also mean that we can monitor brain activities in a more convenient manner. Think of the possibilities! Imagine being able to monitor the brain activities of an F1 driver during a race. The team would be able to read how the driver is reacting and therefore can coach the driver better.

To create this FYP, I needed to program components, assemble these components and create prototypes of the helmet. These skills are what I learnt in my Engineering Degree. I am glad that I specialised in Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering as I was able to work on what is interesting to me by enabling me to tap into the field of Biomedical Engineering.

I suggest to high schoolers to consider Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering as an option for university. You will end up knowing about the technology around you (and this the reason why I went with engineering). I wanted to know how my high-end gaming mouse and key board worked. In the future, I want to be part of a team that is able to release technology in the market that would inspire other people to wonder how such technology works.

At Spark Night, we will see what my cohort is capable off! It is an event not to be missed!

I will see you at Spark Night 2018!”

- Adnaan Sayed, Smart helmet using multichannel EEG and ECG

To find out more about Adnaan’s work as well as other Spark Night 2018 projects, visit www.ecsespark.com

In the lead up to one of our biggest events of the year, we want to show more of our students and their hard work!

Here's the third profile! Meet Rannee.

"Have you ever wondered how computer programs recognise the objects inside a picture? What you and I find easy has long been considered a complex problem for computers. Neural networks drastically changed how this problem is approached ever since one was used in 2012.

Neural networks, inspired by neurons working in a human brain, have millions of simple ‘neurons’. When combined together, the neurons can perform amazing functions and identifying objects in pictures is just one of its capabilities.

What I’m trying to do is expanding on that brain analogy further, in particular, how the brain identifies objects in our vision! Our brains don’t process everything we view in HD to work out what we are seeing, but we concentrate on parts of what we see and focus there. In this project, I'm trying to do the same thing with computers - starting with a low resolution to get a general gist of what is in an image, and then picking a part of the image to scale up. This way, the number of calculations is dramatically reduced, leading to an increase in processing speed.

This could mean assisted technology and real time visual assistance for vulnerable people who are unable to see their environment clearly!

I am glad to be pursuing Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering at Monash University. It's exciting and a great branch of Engineering to explore! I cannot wait to see what my other peers have come up with for their FYP. They are bound to be interesting!"

- Rannee Li, Using Attention-based Techniques to Improve Object Recognition

To find out more about Rannee’s work as well as other Spark Night 2018 projects, visit www.ecsespark.com

In the lead up to one of our biggest events of the year, we want to show more of our students and their hard work!

Here's the second of four profiles that's to come! Meet Randal.

“Transcribing music is difficult. Transcribing dance music is even more difficult.

I am taking a technique in literature, the hidden Markov model, which has been shown to work in classical and pop music and developing an algorithm that would work with dance music including music sweeps and percussion.

This would lay the foundations for more sophisticated techniques to be able to identify the keys and chords of the music.

With my degree, I am applying knowledge and skills learnt through Signal Processing to Music which itself is a sound signal, capable of being processed and analysed! In turn, I am able to develop and work on areas I am really passionate about.

I recommend a degree in Engineering for those who are interested in problem solving, science and maths. The skill to solve problems systematically and create practical solutions is now embedded in me!

I cannot wait to see the creativity from all my fellow peers at Spark Night 2018.”

- Randal Chu, Computerised Chord Transcription In Simple Electronic Dance Music

To find out more about Randal’s work as well as other Spark Night 2018 projects, visit www.ecsespark.com

In the lead up to one of our biggest events of the year, we want to show more of our students and their hard work!

Here's the first of the four profiles that's to come! Meet Francis.

“No matter what age you are, the idea of self-driving autonomous vehicles sparks curiosity. At Monash Motorsport, we are creating our first ever driverless race car.

What I’m working on is the research and development of the concepts surrounding low voltage electrical systems. This involves powering, connecting and testing new hardware such as cameras and GPS. Proper foundations are needed so that future FYP students and team members can build our dream car.

It is great to see theoretical and practical skills I have gained over the years in my degree in motion, and I am still picking up new skills as I continue to complete my FYP. With this experience in autonomous systems, I am now more prepared for future industry needs.

I can’t wait to show you my work at Spark Night 2018!”

- Francis Cheong, Development and Integration of Electrical Systems for a Driverless Race Car

To find out more Spark Night 2018 projects, visit www.ecsespark.com

THAT'S RIGHT! SPARK NIGHT IS BACK FOR 2018!

This is a night not to be missed - we invite you to come, listen, participate, question, network and most of all, interact with our final year Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering students!

To register and to find out more visit:
http://www.ecsespark.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/monashecse
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/monash-ecse

DATE: Tuesday 16 October 2018
TIME: 6pm-8pm
PLACE: Engineering Examination Halls Monash University (23 College Walk, Clayton)

The focus of the night is to showcase the hard work students have invested in their final year projects. All students that have completed their year-long project in the calendar year are invited to present their work at Spark Night. It is also a chance for them to see the projects completed by their fellow peers this year.

All the attendees will be able to view posters detailing each students' project and interact with the students who created them.

We look forward to seeing you at Spark Night 2018!​ ​

Monash Open Day is now on the way!!! Come meet our students and academics to see what YOU can do in Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering!!!

Here are some of the few things you can do today:
- Lightning Storm (watch how we turn High Power Electricity into a light show)
- CADCAM (watch how we utilise 3D printing in our studies)
- Final Year Projects (see what you could be capable of with an degree in ESCE)
- Build your own Digital Thermometer (yes an actual working thermometer)
- Build your own pet RoboMoth (your new pet will keep you occupied for a solid 1/2hr or more!!!)

As 2017 comes to a close, we would like to congratulate all of our students for completing their studies for the year and congratulate our final year students for completing their final exams!

Let's look back at Spark Night 2017 where our graduating students presented their final year projects to the university's learning staff, fellow peers, friends, family and the industry.

121 Students. 81 Projects. 1 Night.

121 Students. 81 Projects. 1 Night.

Spark Night 2017 is only 2 days away!

Final preparations are on the way and we can't wait to see all of you there! Jonathan and Juan Carlos Lugo here are pretty excited about it!

To register and find out more about Spark Night: www.ecsespark.com

3 days to go till Spark Night!!!

Here are three key individuals helping Spark Night happen:
Dr Jonathan Li, Geoff Binns and Roslyn Rimmington

To see more about Spark Night: www.ecsespark.com

4 days till Spark Night!

Come see what Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering can do!

To register and find out more about Spark Night: www.ecsespark.com

The countdown is on. 5 days to go till Spark Night 2017!!!

Here are some of our valued, and very excited, FYP supervisors: Professor Arthur Lowery, Dr James Saunderson, Professor Jean Armstrong, Dr Yi Hong and Dr Gayathri Kongara!!!

To register and see more about Spark Night: www.ecsespark.com

“My FYP is to design an asynchronous single photon detection system. This has the potential to allow for very accurate measurements of time and distance, using asynchronous techniques. My design could also be used for future chip design where very accurate time measurements are needed. The design has applications in a range of areas, including for sensors, measurements and telecommunications.

To have made my FYP possible, I had to learn how to design the required circuits, integrate different computer systems, and be able to analyse and read out data. Most importantly, I had to innovate, as I am attempting to make an FPGA chip do something it wasn’t designed for.

If you’re currently completing your engineering degree, here are a couple of bits of my advice: When choosing electives, make sure you choose ones that you find interesting, and will enjoy. Try be an active learner during your studies, be curious and stay curious, and keep asking questions!

I strongly encourage high school students to consider studying engineering. Engineering is a powerful way to start changes in the world you live in. It also gives you the skills, knowledge and ability to solve complex problem in our society.” – James Salamy

James will be presenting his final year project at Spark Night 2017. This is just a small preview of one of the 88 projects that will be displayed at the event!

To discover more about James and his FYP: www.ecsespark.com/jr-asynchronous-photondetection
To discover more about Spark Night and to register for the event: www.ecsespark.com

Less than 2 weeks to go for Spark Night and preparations are in full swing!

We are proud to be supported by the Society of Monash Electrical Engineers (SMEE), Electric Energy Society of Australia (EESA), TotalSecure as well as Optus (Monash University) in helping make our event bigger and better.

To find out more about them, visit
SMEE: smee.club
EESA: www.eesa.org.au
TotalSecure: www.totalsecure.com.au
Optus: https://lnkd.in/gaiEMUf

To discover more about Spark Night and to register for the event visit, www.ecsespark.com

“Our FYP is titled Electrophysiology Experimental Setup for Brain Machine Interface. To work on our FYP, we had to work with different disciplines of studies such as physiology, engineering and biomedicine. By working on this FYP, we hope to contribute to current brain research.

To those still doing their undergraduate degree in Engineering, there will be difficult and hard times ahead of you but we want you to push ahead and get through it! Engineering is a great area of study! Don’t just do the assignments for the sake of doing them, learn the skills and knowledge in order for you to achieve great things in the future!

To those finishing up high school and is contemplating whether to do engineering; throw yourself in the deep end and you will be amazed by the things you would have accomplished by the time you finish your degree.” – Jesslyn Sutanti and Aaron Choong

Jesslyn and Aaron will be presenting their final year project at Spark Night 2017. This is just a small preview of one of the 86 projects that will be displayed at the event!

To discover more about Jesslyn and Aaron: www.ecsespark.com/yw-electrophysiology-experimental

To discover more about Spark Night and to register for the event: www.ecsespark.com