Baboo Balan
Bridging physical industrial engineering with modern computing — transitioning through a Master of Applied Computing at Lincoln University, NZ, specializing in computer vision (YOLOv8, Detectron2), hybrid RAG architectures, and mobile edge applications, grounded in 8+ years of high-precision robotics and automation depth across Singapore, Taiwan, and India.
Bridging Industrial Automation with Applied Computing & AI
Currently advancing through the Master of Applied Computing at Lincoln University, New Zealand, my core focus is applying modern software engineering, computer vision, and machine learning to build high-impact real-world systems for New Zealand industries.
Through Lincoln COMP639 Agile Studio and intensive research, I design and ship production-ready applications — including Kiwi Sorter (YOLOv8 + Detectron2 AR inspection), Ropu Mapi (standalone Android APK with native voice navigation), SmartShop (Canterbury grocery PWA with Gemini Vision), and DocMindAI (Hybrid RAG search engine).
This transition is anchored by 8+ years of high-stakes industrial engineering depth across Singapore, Taiwan, and India — delivering automation systems, AMHS cleanroom handling, Universal Robots, and MiR AMRs at global leaders including STMicroelectronics (awarded ST STAR Award 2024 for 30% throughput increase), Tata Electronics, and Solomon Technologies.
The Engineering Bridge
Most software developers haven't worked with physical factory automation or industrial robotics. Most automation engineers haven't trained computer vision models or built full-stack distributed apps. I bring both together.
3-Pillar Technical Matrix
Verified skills grounded in shipped repositories, unit tests, and production factory floors.
Applied AI & Computer Vision
Model fine-tuning, defect segmentation & RAG architectures
- ▹Languages: Python, PyTorch, C# (Unity XR)
- ▹Computer Vision: YOLOv8, Detectron2 (Mask R-CNN), OpenCV, GrabCut (37 px/cm defect sizing)
- ▹RAG Architecture: LangChain, FAISS dense vector store, BM25 keyword search, Reciprocal Rank Fusion (RRF)
- ▹Multimodal APIs: Claude Vision API, Gemini 3.5 Flash-lite
Full-Stack & Mobile Edge
Production APIs, mobile APKs, databases & CI/CD
- ▹APIs & Databases: Flask REST APIs, Gunicorn, PostgreSQL 15, SQLite, Redis
- ▹Mobile & Native: Capacitor 8 (Standalone Android APK, Android Auto), PWA, IndexedDB
- ▹DevOps & QA: Docker, Docker Compose, 85 automated unit tests, GitHub Actions CI
- ▹Agile Studio: Lincoln COMP639 Scrum sprints, Jira backlog, client retrospectives
Robotics & Industrial Automation
AMRs, collaborative robotics, AMHS & precision motion
- ▹Robotics: Universal Robots (UR series), MiR Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
- ▹Semiconductor Fab: AMHS, cleanroom wafer stockers (Class 10/100), layout flow
- ▹Precision Motion: Akribis linear/rotary motion stages, 25% cycle time reduction
- ▹Smart Manufacturing: 30% fab throughput increase, ST STAR Award 2024
Verified Engineering Projects
Deployed systems with verified architecture, unit tests, and source code.
Kiwi Sorter: AI Fruit Quality & AR Inspection
Autonomous two-stage inspection: YOLOv8 fruit detection + custom Detectron2 Mask R-CNN transfer learning on T4 GPU (loss 2.36 → 0.33) + GrabCut 37 px/cm defect measurement + world-anchored AR overlay on XReal One glasses.
Ropu Mapi: Convoy Navigation & Native Voice
Open-source convoy navigation app compiled to standalone Android APK via automated GitHub Actions CI. Features unblockable quad-redundant native TTS voice, speed limit alerts, auto-rerouting, and zero-server offline solo navigation.
SmartShop: Retail Intelligence & Receipt Vision
Canterbury-tested grocery PWA with OpenStreetMap Overpass retail store discovery, Traveling Salesperson multi-store shopping route optimization, and Gemini 3.5 Flash receipt vision, backed by 85 passing unit tests.
DocMindAI: Enterprise Hybrid RAG Engine
Document intelligence engine combining FAISS dense vector search with BM25 keyword matching via Reciprocal Rank Fusion (RRF). Features scoped document querying, inline citations, SQL analytics, and Docker deployment.
Modular Cobot + AMR Mobile Platform
Self-designed mobile manipulator combining MiR autonomous base with Universal Robots arm. Features 30-minute rapid swap modularity and master-slave Wi-Fi coordination. Commercialized with 3–4 units deployed for Singapore aerospace engine inspection.
Power Line Inspection Robot (Hexarotor)
Teleoperated hexarotor crawler engineered to land on live high-voltage power transmission lines and traverse conductors using rubber-coated rollers. Pan-tilt camera streams wireless video for ground inspection without helicopters or climbing.
Professional Experience
8+ years delivering measurable engineering and fab efficiency gains.
Senior IE & Automation Engineer
- Optimized AMHS performance and resolved complex automation issues to maximize fab uptime.
- Led continuous improvement initiatives, boosting production efficiency and system reliability.
- Collaborated with cross-functional engineering teams and vendors for smooth equipment rollout.
Global FA - Engineer
- Deployed automated factory solutions and machine vision systems across international customer sites.
- Integrated robotic inspection cells and vision algorithms, troubleshooting complex hardware-software issues.
- Trained client technical teams, built partner relationships, and authored comprehensive engineering documentation.
Project Manager (Automation)
- Led end-to-end automation projects in semiconductor manufacturing, from equipment sourcing to production sign-off.
- Delivered 30%+ production efficiency gains through optimized layouts and process improvements — awarded ST STAR Award 2024.
- Managed cross-functional vendor teams, budgets, and cleanroom automation equipment commissioning.
Micro Actuators - Team Lead
- Led high-precision robotics product development, boosting efficiency by 25% and precision by 30%.
- Reduced pre-development lead time by 20% and improved cost-effectiveness by 15%.
- Enhanced cross-department collaboration through clear technical reporting and motion tuning standards.
Senior Application Engineer
- Designed and commercialized the Modular Cobot + AMR mobile platform; personally sold 3-4 standard units.
- Successfully deployed autonomous mobile inspection robot at Singapore aerospace maintenance facility.
- Achieved 30%+ efficiency gains in semiconductor handling lines through automated material transfer.
R&D - Project Engineer
- Improved cleanroom wafer Stocker machine timelines by 20% and supervised high-precision installations.
- Enhanced cross-department collaboration by 15% and boosted procurement efficiency by 25%.
Education & Qualifications
Master of Applied Computing at Lincoln, NCKU Taiwan, and Veltech India.
Master of Applied Computing
- Lincoln COMP639 Agile Studio: Scrum leadership, sprint ceremonies, client reviews, and full-stack software delivery.
- Developing applied machine learning, computer vision, and distributed software systems for NZ industrial applications.
- Preparing for COMP693 industry placement (Feb – Jun 2027); eligible for 3-year open Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV).
MSc, Mechanical Engineering
- Master's thesis: Humanoid bipedal robot replicating human kinematics captured via multi-camera optical vision data.
- Designed, manufactured, and tuned dynamic center-of-gravity stabilization for stable multi-axis walking locomotion.
BE, Mechanical Engineering
- Final-year capstone project: Live Power Line Inspection Robot hexarotor crawler for energized high-voltage conductors.
- Directly led to granted Indian Patent No. 439813 (20-year term granted July 2023).