Muhammad.

Muhammad Wasiq Saleem

Robotics & AI Engineer | Computer Vision & Embedded Systems Specialist

Overview

Mechatronics Engineer specializing in autonomous systems and embodied AI. I have a proven track record of developing high-performance robotics pipelines, including achieving a 5x increase in inference speed for depth estimation and reducing hardware costs by 80% for autonomous racing prototypes. Experienced in leading multidisciplinary teams and designing robust, sensor-efficient systems for hazardous environments.

Islamabad, Pakistan

Experience

Sep 2025

WORK

President

Team ALIF (Autonomous Racing), NUST

Islamabad

Lead a 10-member multidisciplinary student team designing and building an autonomous race vehicle. Mentor and coach team members across mechanical design, electronics, coding, and robotics integration, guiding them from CAD through working hardware via hands-on sessions and project reviews. Built a functioning, student-led robotics team culture - coaching peers hands-on in robotics, coding, and AI fundamentals.

•Lead a 10-member multidisciplinary student team designing and building an autonomous race vehicle.

•Mentor and coach team members across mechanical design, electronics, coding, and robotics integration, guiding them from CAD through working hardware via hands-on sessions and project reviews.

•Built a functioning, student-led robotics team culture - coaching peers hands-on in robotics, coding, and AI fundamentals.

Key Achievements

→Built a functioning autonomous racing prototype using only an ESP32 and a smartphone camera.

→Eliminated the need for expensive sensors (LiDAR, depth cameras, Raspberry Pi), reducing hardware costs by ~80%.

→80% reduction in hardware costs

ESP32Smartphone Camera IntegrationCost Optimization

Feb 2025 – Aug 2025

WORK

Embodied AI & Computer Vision Research Intern

NCAI

Islamabad

Developed object detection, depth-perception, and semantic mapping pipelines for robot navigation. Integrated YOLO and monocular depth estimation into a real-time robotics perception pipeline; managed datasets, evaluation, and model optimization. Delivered a real-time, low-cost perception system that is a kind of hands-on build ideal for teaching AI and robotics concepts to students.

•Developed object detection, depth-perception, and semantic mapping pipelines for robot navigation.

•Integrated YOLO and monocular depth estimation into a real-time robotics perception pipeline; managed datasets, evaluation, and model optimization.

•Delivered a real-time, low-cost perception system that is a kind of hands-on build ideal for teaching AI and robotics concepts to students.

Key Achievements

→Achieved a processing speed of 5 FPS for the integrated YOLO and monocular depth estimation pipeline.

→Fine-tuned Depth Anything V2 for RGB-based mapping, increasing depth estimation accuracy by ~50% and achieving a 5x increase in inference speed.

→5 FPS real-time processing speed

→50% increase in depth estimation accuracy

→5x increase in inference speed (FPS)

YOLOComputer VisionMonocular Depth EstimationSemantic MappingRobot NavigationDepth Anything V2Model Fine-tuning

Sep 2024 – 2025

INTERNSHIP

Hardware & Robotics Systems Intern

NCAI

Islamabad

Built ROS 2 control plugins and closed -loop motor control for ESP32-based differential-drive robots. Integrated LiDAR and wheel encoders for autonomous navigation; developed a serial/WiFi hardware interface bridging embedded firmware and ROS 2. Delivered a low-cost, reliable robotics platform, cutting hardware cost by roughly 80% while keeping navigation performance intact - the kind of build-it-yourself project ideal for teaching.

•Built ROS 2 control plugins and closed -loop motor control for ESP32-based differential-drive robots.

•Integrated LiDAR and wheel encoders for autonomous navigation; developed a serial/WiFi hardware interface bridging embedded firmware and ROS 2.

•Delivered a low-cost, reliable robotics platform, cutting hardware cost by roughly 80% while keeping navigation performance intact - the kind of build-it-yourself project ideal for teaching.

Key Achievements

→Cutting hardware cost by roughly 80% while keeping navigation performance intact

ROS 2ESP32LiDARWheel EncodersWiFiSerial InterfaceEmbedded Firmware

Project Portfolio

PERSONAL

Present

C++ Programming Chatbot

Developer

Built a chatbot in C++ to answer and explain programming concepts, aimed at improving beginner learning outcomes.

C++

PERSONAL

Present

Computer Vision & Embodied AI Research (NCAI)

Researcher

Built object detection and depth-perception pipelines for robot navigation using YOLO and monocular depth estimation.

YOLOMonocular Depth EstimationComputer VisionDepth Anything V2

ACADEMIC

Present

ROS 2 Differential-Drive Robot

Lead Designer

Designed a low-cost ROS 2 differential-drive robot from CAD to deployment, creating a complete educational platform for teaching embedded systems, sensors, control, and navigation.

ROS 2CADEmbedded SystemsSensorsControlNavigation

PERSONAL

Present

Smart Motorbike Tracking System

Developer

Built a real-time, multi-threaded Python system using YOLO object detection, speed tracking, and a GUI - an engaging, visual demo of AI concepts for students.

PythonYOLOGUIMulti-threading

PERSONAL

Present

Arduino-Based Obstacle Avoidance Robot

Developer

Developed an autonomous differential-drive robot using Arduino and ultrasonic sensors, a classic beginner-friendly build for teaching sensors and control logic.

ArduinoUltrasonic SensorsControl Logic

PERSONAL

Present

Rocker-Bogie Mining Robot (Final Year Project)

Lead Designer

An autonomous mobile robot for mine exploration and hazardous environment monitoring, using RGB vision-based mapping and gas sensors to replace expensive LiDAR systems. Navigates rough terrain to detect methane and carbon monoxide in real-time.

Mechanical DesignEmbedded ControlSensorsRGB Vision MappingAI PerceptionGas Sensors (Methane, CO)

Education

2022 – 2026

Bachelor of Engineering

National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)Specialization in Mechanical Engineering

Relevant Coursework

Control Engineering & InstrumentationElectrical & Electronics EngineeringMechanical Design & ModelingKinematics and Dynamics

Societies & Activities

Team ALIF (Autonomous Racing)Hack Club NUSTIMechESCS

Impact & Recognition

Professional Certifications

Islamabad

Computer Vision & AI Training Program

Andrew Ng; Hugging Face

Deep Learning & Computer Vision

Governance & Advisory

Hack Club NUST

Liaison Director

OTHER

IMechE & SCS

Deputy Director Finance

OTHER

Skills & Interests

Python

TECHNICAL

YOLO

TECHNICAL

ROS 2

TECHNICAL

Arduino

TOOL

C++

TECHNICAL

ESP32

TOOL

CAD

TECHNICAL

OpenCV

TECHNICAL

SolidWorks

TOOL

PyTorch

TECHNICAL

CNNs

TECHNICAL

Vision Transformers

TECHNICAL

Areas of Expertise

Project-Based Learning

Technical Mentoring

STEM Instruction

Public Speaking

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