Dr. Ahmad Faisal Mohamad Ayob

Associate Professor
Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
80+ Publications
540+ Scopus Citations
15 H-Index (Scholar)
12 H-Index (Scopus)

Summary

Associate Professor specializing in naval architecture, ocean engineering, autonomous underwater vehicles, high-speed craft design, and digital twin technology. Founder and Managing Director of VSG Labs Sdn Bhd, an engineering firm affiliated with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. Active researcher with 80+ publications, 540+ Scopus citations, and a sustained record of securing and delivering industry-grade research projects funded by PETRONAS and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering (High-Speed Craft)

University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy, Australia

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering

Universiti Malaya, Malaysia

Professional Experience

– Present

Founder / Managing Director

VSG Labs Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia

– Present

Associate Professor

Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Director of International Centre

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Led a tenfold surge in international student enrollment.

Senior Lecturer

School of Ocean Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

R&D Engineer

Panasonic H. A. Air Condition Research and Development (M) Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia

Vibration Engineer Consultant

Monitoring and Diagnostics Technology Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia

Skills & Expertise

Naval Architecture Ocean Engineering Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) High-Speed Craft Design Digital Twin Technology Marine Robotics Computational Fluid Dynamics Ship Simulation Optimization Algorithms Machine Learning Computer Vision Corrosion Detection Python MATLAB Research Supervision

Selected Projects (as Lead)

Metocean Foresight System

PETRONAS Research

RM 1,140,000

P-MET Weather Metocean System 2025

PETRONAS Project Delivery and Technology

RM 165,000

P-MET Weather Metocean System 2024

PETRONAS Project Delivery and Technology

RM 229,000

Underwater Robot Simulator

PETRONAS Carigali

RM 128,800

P-MET iOS/Android App Development

PETRONAS Project Delivery and Technology

RM 80,000

Ship Simulator Development

Ministry of Higher Education (PRGS)

RM 184,700

Novel AUV Designs within Genetic Algorithm Framework

Ministry of Higher Education (FRGS)

RM 81,200

Publications

2026

Advancements and Challenges in Convolutional Neural Networks for Marine Corrosion Detection and Classification

Journal of Advanced Research Design, , 142(1), pp. 89–107

2025

Ship structure corrosion detection using advanced image processing, active contour algorithm, and parallel processing

Ocean Engineering, , 341, 122351

Development of a Vision-Based Mobile Robot with Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) for Classification of Tomato Ripeness

Engineering Letters, , 33(6), pp. 2078–2088

Accurate Corrosion Detection and Segmentation on Ship Hull with Pixel Property Method

Journal of Advanced Research Design, , 129(1), pp. 148–163

Effective Periodic Noise Reduction for Ship Corrosion Image

Journal of Advanced Research Design, , 129(1), pp. 130–147

Design Considerations and Factors Influencing Floating Offshore Wind Turbines through Numerical Method and Industrial Practice

Journal of Advanced Research Design, , 128(1), pp. 125–143

Advanced Techniques in Ship Corrosion Analysis: Integrating Active Contour Algorithms for Image Segmentation

Journal of Advanced Research Design, , 128(1), pp. 79–99

A Study of Ergonomic Work Posture on Traditional Fishing Boats Manufacturing in Lhokseumawe

Journal of Health and Quality of Life, , 6(1), pp. 25–32

The Performance Analysis of the Shipping Line Industry in Indonesia Amidst the Covid-19 and Global Economic Uncertainty Conditions

Journal of Advanced Research in Technology and Innovation Management, , 14(1)

2024

Corrigendum: “A critical analysis of machine learning in ship, offshore, and oil & gas corrosion research, part I: Corrosion detection and classification”

Ocean Engineering, , 313, 119726

A critical analysis of machine learning in ship, offshore, and oil & gas corrosion research, part I: Corrosion detection and classification

Ocean Engineering, , 313, 119600

A critical review of machine learning algorithms in maritime, offshore, and oil & gas corrosion research: A comprehensive analysis of ANN and RF models

Ocean Engineering, , 295, 116796

A Review of Predictive Maintenance Approaches for Corrosion Detection and Maintenance of Marine Structures

Journal of Sustainability Science and Management, , 19(4), pp. 182–202

Dynamic Analysis and Circuit Design of a New 3D Highly Chaotic System and its Application to Pseudo Random Number Generator (PRNG) and Image Encryption

SN Computer Science, , 5(4), 420

Neuroevolutionary Reinforcement Learning of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle in Confined Space

Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, , 1248 LNEE, pp. 115–124

Failure Analysis of a Connecting Rod Bearing of a Diesel Engine Generator Set

Advanced Structured Materials, , 215, pp. 123–131

Identification of Connecting Rod Diesel Engine Generator Set 3516 B Series Using the Finite Element Method

AIP Conference Proceedings, , 3115(1), 060003

Risk Management of Coastal Ring Roads to Rate Abrasion on The Lhokseumawe City

Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology, , 39(1), pp. 168–182

Real-time Analysis of Inverter Performance via SCADA Haiwell Online Monitoring

Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology, , 37(1), pp. 99–114

Failure Analysis of Valve Unit for MAN 9L21/31 Diesel Engine Generator

Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology, , 33(3), pp. 185–193

Color-based image processing techniques for laser range finder: A comparative study on air and water distance detection

Proceedings of SPIE, , 12938, 129381A

Real-time Detection and Classification of Fish in Underwater Environment Using YOLOv5: A Comparative Study of Deep Learning Architectures

Informatyka Automatyka Pomiary w Gospodarce i Ochronie Srodowiska, , 14(3), pp. 91–95

Electronic Circuit in the Two-Scroll Hyperchaotic System with a Unique Saddle-Point Rest Point and its Synchronization via Integral Sliding Mode Control

IAENG International Journal of Applied Mathematics, , 54(3), pp. 452–464

Identification of induce draft fan damage using fault tree analysis

BIS Information Technology and Computer Science, , 1, V124003

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Corrosion Research, Part II: Corrosion of Steel

Changes in Priority Scale Between Needs vs Wants in Customer Perspective During and After the Covid-19 Pandemic Using Fuzzy AHP

4th Borobudur International Symposium on Humanities and Social Science,

Optimizing traditional shipyard industry: Integrating VSM and sustainability indicators for continuous improvement

Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology,

2023

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Marine Corrosion Prediction and Detection

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, , 11(2), 256

Computer Vision and Image Processing Approaches for Corrosion Detection

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, , 11(10), 1954

Efficient, accurate and fast pupil segmentation for pupillary boundary in iris recognition

Advances in Engineering Software, , 175, 103352

Investigation of chaotic behavior and adaptive type-2 fuzzy controller approach for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) wind turbine system

AIMS Mathematics, , 8(3), pp. 5670–5686

Evaluation of Neuroevolutionary Approach to Navigate Autonomous Surface Vehicles in Restricted Waters

Defence S and T Technical Bulletin, , 16(1), pp. 24–36

Enhancing Production Process Performance in Traditional Shipyards: An Integrated Approach for Waste Identification and Performance Optimization

Journal of Optimization in Industrial Engineering, , 16(2), pp. 221–241

Continuous Improvement Strategy in Traditional Shipyard Industry: A Holistic Approach towards Sustainability

Journal of Optimization in Industrial Engineering, , 16(1), pp. 255–268

Work system design using macroergonomic analysis and design approach to increase productivity

AIP Conference Proceedings, , 2484, 040004

An intelligent autonomous surface vehicle manoeuvring analysis in restricted waters via neuroevolutionary method

AIP Conference Proceedings, , 2484, 060001

Identification of waste for shipyard through lean manufacturing approach

AIP Conference Proceedings, , 2484, 040013

Defect analysis to improve quality of traditional shipbuilding processes in West Aceh District, Indonesia

AIP Conference Proceedings, , 2484, 020004

Fuzzy Logic-based Integrated Cooling System to Improve PV Efficiency

Andalasian International Journal of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology,

Optimizing traditional shipyard industry: Enhancing manufacturing cycle efficiency for enhanced production process performance

International Journal of Industrial Engineering, Technology and Operations Management,

The application of artificial intelligence in corrosion monitoring

Journal of Engineering Science and Research,

2022

A Brief Review of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Human-Machine Interaction

IEEE 9th International Conference on Underwater System Technology: Theory and Applications,

Adaptive Initial Contour and Partly-Normalization Algorithm for Iris Segmentation of Blurry Iris Images

Journal of Information and Communication Technology, , 21(3), pp. 411–435

Investigation and failure analysis of a diesel generator connecting rod

Mechanical Engineering for Society and Industry, , 2(2), pp. 64–71

State of the Art Review on Autonomous Surface Vehicle Maneuvering Assessment

Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, , 770, pp. 105–113

Defect Analysis to Improve Quality in Traditional Shipbuilding Processes

International Journal of Global Optimization and Its Application, , 1(3), pp. 135–144

Identifying the Shipyard Waste: An Application of the Lean Manufacturing Approach

International Journal of Global Optimization and Its Application, , 1(2), pp. 100–110

2021

Applications of artificial intelligence in ship berthing: A review

Indian Journal of Geo Marine Sciences, , 50(11), pp. 855–863

Convolutional Neural Network Architectures Performance Evaluation for Fish Species Classification

Journal of Sustainability Science and Management, , 16(5), pp. 124–139

myBas driving cycle for Kuala Terengganu city

International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering, , 11(3), pp. 2054–2061

Iris Segmentation Based on an Adaptive Initial Contour and Partly-Normalization

Communications in Computer and Information Science, , 1489 CCIS, pp. 231–240

Analysis of pruned neural networks (MobileNetV2-YOLO v2) for underwater object detection

Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, , 666, pp. 87–98

Proceedings of the 12th National Technical Seminar on Unmanned System Technology 2020: NUSYS’20

Springer Nature,

2020 & Earlier

COVID-19 exit strategy: Transitioning towards a new normal

Annals of Medicine and Surgery, , 59, pp. 165–170

Neuroevolutionary autonomous surface vehicle simulation in restricted waters

TransNav, , 14(4), pp. 865–873

Obstacles avoidance control for autonomous mobile robot based on fuzzy logic controller

Advanced Science Letters, , 24(11), pp. 7895–7899

Mobile Robot Controller Based on Fuzzy Logic System in Uneven Terrain

Discovering Mathematics (Menemui Matematik), , 39(2), pp. 70–82

Dynamic responses of moored installation vessel during lifting operation due to environmental load

IEEE 7th International Conference on Underwater System Technology: Theory and Applications,

State of the Art Review of the Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics for High Speed Craft

Journal of Ocean, Mechanical and Aerospace, , 39(1), pp. 7–17

Investigating pectoral shapes and locomotive strategies for conceptual designing bio-inspired robotic fish

Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, , 12(1), pp. 1–14

A review on recent advancements in unmanned underwater vehicle design

Journal of Ocean, Mechanical and Aerospace, , 31(1), pp. 1–8

Underwater System Technology 2015

Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences, , 44(12)

An efficient Memetic algorithm for 3D shape matching problems

Engineering Optimization, , 46(5), pp. 687–703

Rheology study of plant oil for marine application

Procedia Engineering, , 68, pp. 138–144

A hydrodynamic preliminary design optimization framework for high speed planing craft

Journal of Ship Research, , 56(1), pp. 35–47

Hull surface information retrieval and optimization of high speed planing craft

IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, , 36(1), 012034

The quest for optimum high speed planing craft design

RINA International Maritime Conference, Pacific , pp. 507–516

A smart repair embedded memetic algorithm for 2D shape matching problems

Engineering Optimization, , 44(10), pp. 1229–1243

The effect of boron friction modifier on the performance of brake pads

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, , 7(1), pp. 31–35

Marine Extracts as Corrosion Inhibitor for Aluminum in Seawater Applications

Journal of Engineering Research and Applications, , 2(1), pp. 455–458

The design of high speed planing craft using an optimization framework

ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, , 4, pp. 11–20

Beyond hydrodynamic design optimization of planing craft

Transactions of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, , 119, pp. 473–485

Uncovering secrets behind low-resistance planing craft hull forms through optimization

Engineering Optimization, , 43(11), pp. 1161–1173

Scenario-based hydrodynamic design optimization of high speed planing craft for coastal surveillance

IEEE Congress of Evolutionary Computation, , pp. 354–361

A novel evolutionary approach for 2D shape matching based on B-spline modeling

IEEE Congress of Evolutionary Computation, , pp. 655–661

Beyond hydrodynamic design optimization of planing craft

Journal of Ship Production, , 27(1), pp. 1–13

Hydrodynamic design optimization of a hard chine planing craft for coastal surveillance

International Maritime Conference, Pacific , pp. 73–82

An optimization framework for the design of planing craft

RINA International Conference on Computer Applications in Shipbuilding, , 2, pp. 1028–1057

Thesis

Development of an optimization framework for the design of high speed planing craft

PhD Thesis, UNSW Sydney,

Research Collaborations

Japan

Prof. Dr. Kenjiro T. Miura

Shizuoka University — B-spline surface representation and autonomous vehicle development

Australia

Prof. Dr. Tapabrata Ray

University of New South Wales — Optimization algorithms and computational design

Indonesia

Dr. Mujiarto

Universitas Tasik Malaya — Regional maritime technology development

Malaysia

Dr. Nur Afande Ali Hussain

STRIDE, Ministry of Defense — Defense applications of autonomous systems

Malaysia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zulkifli Zainal

Center for Autonomous Vehicle, IIUM — Autonomous vehicle development

Malaysia

Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Rizal Arshad

Universiti Sains Malaysia — Academic Mentorship

Awards & Recognition

Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang (Excellent Service Award) — four consecutive years