Consultant • AI, Robotics & Computer Vision
I am a PhD in AI and Robot Learning (LUMS) with over two decades across software industry and academia. I have founded many companies, served as Director at Automatrix Pakistan, and consulted for multiple companies in embedded AI/ML, computer vision, IoT, and cybersecurity. I have mentored startups, led R&D, and taught at FAST‑NU, UCP, UMT, and ITU, focusing on real-world innovation and productization.
Education: PhD (LUMS, 2006–2013); MS & BS (FAST‑NUCES, 1997–2003).
Learning from demonstration, autonomous navigation, aerial robotics, and intelligent agents.
Segmentation, OCR/ANPR, tracking, image processing pipelines for edge and cloud.
Sensors, firmware, gateways, cloud backends, and robust field deployments.
Document transformation, summarization, and workflow automation with custom AI.
From proof‑of‑concept to pilot and production, with emphasis on cost and reliability.
Advising startups and enterprises on AI/ML strategy, architecture, and delivery.
A selection spanning edge AI, computer vision, robotics, IoT, and large‑scale software systems. Ordered newest → oldest.
2025
Edge‑AI camera system for a major cigarette producer using a custom segmentation network with real‑time tracking and on‑screen highlighting. Reduces miss‑rates in manual removal by drawing operator attention to contaminants.
2025
World‑leading document transformation product using LLMs and proprietary AI. Automates alteration and high‑fidelity summarization with governance controls and auditability for legal workflows.
2024
POCs solving challenges in legacy hybrid traffic monitoring systems in Lahore and Dubai. CPU‑friendly CV pipelines for broader portability across edge and cloud.
2023–2024
Toolkit on top of Ardupilot, QGroundControl, and Gazebo to accelerate startup POCs in simulation and real. Includes natural‑language tasking via LLM for faster mission planning.
2023
Multi‑stage pipeline for browser‑based video upload, CV processing, and streaming. Focused on efficient image processing and addressing systemic bottlenecks.
2023
Secure distributed wallet across rides and top‑up stations over a fragile wireless network. Custom design with robust syncing and operational reliability.
2023
Fingerprint support for large thin‑client infrastructures on Solaris and Windows. Included secure device design and end‑to‑end software integration.
2022
Low‑cost diagnostic support using custom hardware for non‑mydriatic fundus imaging and software grading of retinopathy severity. Built early prototypes with hospitals in Lahore.
2022
Efficient multi‑drone system (multicopter + fixed‑wing) for autonomous surveillance. Emphasis on coordination, endurance, and operational safety.
2021
End‑to‑end system with sensor nodes, concentrators, cloud services, and web front‑end. Designed for reliability and remote observability.
2020
Smart assembly‑line sensor to verify manufacturing/expiry legibility and template compliance on juice cartons. Lightweight CV approach for industrial settings.
2018
Thermal + color camera robotics to count chicks across a control shed and identify dead/sick vs healthy. Provides continuous farm statistics and informs health analytics.
2018
Advised on a quadcopter that locks onto a target face and performs pursuit. Built atop standard kits with tailored vision modules.
2018
Blast‑proof industrial sensor suite measuring stock volume, generator consumption, and dispensation. Internet‑connected for live dashboards.
2018
Firmware redesign of a commercial remotely controllable high‑wattage switching device with improved stability and safety.
2018
Touch‑friendly Windows kiosk app in Unity3D for animated directions to outlets and public areas (parking, food court, ATMs, washrooms).
2017
Human‑sized treaded robot with Android face; two‑way audio/video between robot and controller app. Led full stack: mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software.
2017
Four‑switch touch panel controllable over the internet with analytics reports. Designed electronics, firmware, and cloud interface.
2017
Minimal‑sensor system estimating immigration queue lengths for Dubai International Airport. Focus on robustness and ease of deployment.
2017
Wearable sensors integrated into riding gear with visualization on Android tablet. Early POC exploring rider safety metrics.
2017
Raspberry Pi‑based attendance system using off‑the‑shelf face detection/recognition. Optimized for cost and small form factor.
2017
IoT retrofit kit for commercial refrigerators to log temperature/abuse, control cooling, and report over the internet for fleet management.
2016
Scalable web app for remote reporting and control of automated water treatment plants with modern instrumentation across Pakistan.
2016
Number‑plate OCR for standard and non‑standard plates on highways. Benchmarked to outperform local competitors.
2015
BLE keyfob that triggers emergency calls to contacts based on button patterns. Kickstarter‑funded concept with custom hardware and firmware.
2014
Prototype with Teradata for reading vehicle registrations entering building parking. Demonstrated feasibility and accuracy for local plates.
2013
Android‑controlled snap‑on device for domestic hot water heaters. Maintains temperature schedules via BLE with energy‑saving modes.
2012
Front‑end in ASP.NET integrated with backend web services to automate Android app test reporting and benchmarking.
2011
Bug fixes and tweaks upstream for the VLC media player of that time; targeted stability and performance improvements.
2009–2011
Compact by‑weight filling machine with efficient mechanical/electrical design. Focused on affordability and repeatability.
2006–2007
Large‑scale collaborative Web 2.0 platform with content capture/editing, calendaring, tutoring, and more. Led architecture and engineering.
2005
Enterprise email archiving and thread‑aware search with instant restore for disaster recovery. Included end‑user recovery tools and analytics.
2004–2005
Windows expert system monitoring MS Exchange to diagnose and remediate issues via expert rules and scripts. Served as dev manager and knowledge engineer.
2004
3‑D face animation & rendering system to help deaf school children learn Urdu utterances. Managed analysis and delivery.
2004
Real‑time stock feed interpreter with user rules via Excel, driving alerts/automations for buy/sell decisions.
2003–2004
Vicinity‑based preference matching and wireless gaming on custom Bluetooth devices. Full hardware + software prototypes.
2002–2003
Enhanced NetMeeting‑style conferencing based on Acutus PCI video cards for Windows 2000+. Included device driver debugging.
2002–2003
CCD‑based PC‑interfaced barcode scanner prototypes with custom decoding software.
2002
End‑to‑end monitoring and accounting system for fuel stations, including quality control modules and hardware integration.
2002
Consulted on enhancement of CPen’s data acquisition software using its SDK; delivered straw‑man applications and integration guidance.
2001
Built the registration module for FAST‑NU’s academic automation system using JSP/MySQL; improved throughput and data consistency.
2001
Core image‑processing research and utilities for the national ID card computerization project; contributed to pipeline reliability.
2000–2001
Protocol‑translation proxy bridging mobile devices to existing HTTP websites on the fly, reducing duplicate WAP development.
2000
Enhanced an Urdu editor ActiveX control with new graphical features and improved text handling.
2000
Telephone data enquiry and DB maintenance system migrated to Windows (VC++), modernizing a legacy service.
Email: umarsuleman@gmail.com
I’m open to consulting, collaborations, and R&D partnerships.