Prof. Herman Vermaak
NRF Rating: C2
Visiting Professor
Qualifications: PhD (Electrical Engineering, University of Twente, Netherlands)
Professional Background
Prof. H.J. Vermaak is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering. His research portfolio is centrally focused on Smart Manufacturing within the evolving contexts of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0.
He investigates a diverse range of advanced technological fields, with a particular emphasis on bridging the gap between physical manufacturing processes and digital oversight. His work is instrumental in developing frameworks that enhance operational efficiency, data security, and human-centric design in modern industrial environments.
Key Research Focus Areas
- Advanced & Smart Manufacturing Systems: Designing experimental setups to introduce collaborative decision-making and Industry 5.0 principles into automated environments.
- Human-Machine Collaboration: Underpinning the importance of "human-in-the-loop" methodologies to optimize positive drift and operational safety in smart factories.
- Emerging Technologies: Integrating Digital Twins and Blockchain technology (specifically smart contracts and data provenance) to secure and streamline smart manufacturing units.
Areas of Expertise
- • Advanced Manufacturing Systems
- • Smart Manufacturing & Industry 4.0/5.0
- • Human-Machine Interaction
- • Automated Systems & Digital Twins
- • Blockchain in Manufacturing
Selected Publications
Top Publications & Proceedings
- • Mokalusi, O.L., Kuriakose, R.B. and Vermaak, H.J. 2024. Designing an Experimental Setup for Incorporating Data Provenance into Blockchain Smart Contracts in a Smart Manufacturing Environment. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-52303-8_14 → - • Coetzer, J., Kuriakose, R.B. and Vermaak, H.J. 2023. Designing an Experimental Setup for Introducing Industry 5.0 in a Smart Manufacturing Environment. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 814, pp. 273–280.
- • Mokalusi, O.L., Kuriakose, R.B. and Vermaak, H.J. 2023. A Comparison of Transaction Fees for Various Data Types and Data Sizes of Blockchain Smart Contracts on a Selection of Blockchain Platforms. ICT Systems and Sustainability, Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems. Springer, Singapore.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5221-0_67 → - • Coetzer, J., Vermaak, H.J., Kuriakose, R.B., and Nel, G. 2023. The Impact of Collaborative Decision-Making in a Smart Manufacturing Environment: Case Study Using an Automated Water Bottling Plant. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 464, pp. 321-332.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-2394-4_30 → - • Coetzer, J., Kuriakose, R.B., Vermaak, H.J. and Nel, G. 2022. Using a Single Group Experimental Study to Underpin the Importance of Human-in-the-Loop in a Smart Manufacturing Environment. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4538-9 →
Selected Book Chapters
- • Koko, S.P., Kusakana, K., and Vermaak, H.J. 2018. Optimal Sizing of a Micro-Hydrokinetic Pumped-Hydro-Storage Hybrid System for Different Demand Sectors. In W. Rivera (Ed.), Sustainable Cloud and Energy Services: Principles and Practice (pp. 219-242). Springer.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62238-5_9 → - • Kusakana, K., Numbi, B.P., and Vermaak, H.J. Optimal Operation Control of Hydrokinetic-based Hybrid Systems. In A. Sayigh (Ed.), Renewable Energy in the Service of Mankind Vol I (pp. 291-303). Springer.
