Fabio Zambetta

Professor Fabio Zambetta

Deputy Dean, Engagement

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Profile photo of Dr Fabio Zambetta. Fabio is standing inside, background out of focus. Fabio is standing at an angle, looking at the camera and smiling. On a bookcase behind Fabio is a sign that says "Board Games Night" four times.

Contact details

STEM College | School of Computing Technologies

Lawrence Wackett Defence & Aerospace Centre

CIAIRI

ECP Information & Systems

STEM Centre for Digital Innovation

Email: fabio.zambetta@rmit.edu.au

Phone: +61 3992 59694 

Campus: Melbourne City

Programs

  Computer Science

  Software Engineering

  Games & Graphics Programming

More information

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Profile photo of Dr Fabio Zambetta. Fabio is standing inside, background out of focus. Fabio is standing at an angle, looking at the camera and smiling. On a bookcase behind Fabio is a sign that says "Board Games Night" four times.

Contact details

   STEM College | School of Computing Technologies

  Lawrence Wackett Defence & Aerospace Centre

  CIAIRI

  EIP Information & Systems

  STEM Centre for Digital Innovation

  Email: fabio.zambetta@rmit.edu.au

    Phone: +61 3992 59694 

   Campus: Melbourne City

Programs

  Computer Science

  Software Engineering

  Games & Graphics Programming

More information

iD icon - ORCID

- Google Scholar

- LinkedIn

 - DBLP

Dr Fabio Zambetta is a computer scientist with expertise in designing AI techniques in games, AR/VR, and real-time simulation. He focuses on industry partnerships and cross-disciplinary practice.

Overview

Dr Fabio Zambetta is an internationally recognised research leader in AR/VR, games technology, and real-time simulation, leading major cross-disciplinary projects with industry.

Fabio is an excellent teacher who has designed world-class academic learning experiences in collaboration with major partners, such Microsoft, GitHub, and Village Roadshow.

He is also a senior people leader, currently serving as the Deputy Dean, Engagement in the School of Computing Technologies. Previously, he served as the Associate Dean, Artificial Intelligence (2021-2023), as Discipline Leader, Computer Science & Software Engineering, in the School of Science (2019-2020) and as a Deputy Director of the Lawrence Wackett Aerospace and Defence Centre.

He has served as a Program Manager at RMIT for more than 15 years, managing programs such as Games & Graphics Programming, Computer Science, and Software Engineering.

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Industry experience

1999-2004: Games & Simulation Programming Consultant

2000-2003: e-Pingle SRL (Italy): Co-Founder

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Research

Dr Fabio Zambetta is an internationally recognised research leader in AR/VR, games technology, and real-time simulation, leading major cross-disciplinary projects with industry.

His research contributions in top CORE A* conferences (IJCAI, AAAI, and CHI), Q1 journals (ACM TOCHI, IEEE TOG, and Journal of Neural Engineering) and active peer-reviewing in AI and human-computer interaction, have led to invitations to serve as a Program Chair of the IEEE Conference on Games in 2020, and to leadership roles in IEEE taskforces.

He has established and led collaborations with major industry partners, including Microsoft, Village Roadshow, and Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA).

He has been the first Visiting Scholar at Microsoft Garage during a sabbatical in Redmond in 2019, and he has been awarded a Cloud Software Research Fellowship by Microsoft Asia, that same year.

Research keywords

AI, Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Human-computer Interaction, Computer Games, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, Real-time Simulation

Research output summary

89

Publications

18

Projects

3

Awards

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Supervisor interest areas

  • Machine Learning
  • Reinforcement Learning
  • AI In Games
  • AR/VR/MR
  • Real-time Simulation

Feature publications

Reducing Perceived Waiting Time in Theme Park Queues via an Augmented Reality Game

ACM Trans. Comput. Hum. Interact. 27(1): 3:1-3:30

Fabio Zambetta, William L. Raffe, Marco Tamassia, Florian 'Floyd' Mueller, Xiaodong Li, Niels Quinten, Rakesh Patibanda, Daniel Dang, Jon Satterley (2020).

Neo-Noumena: Augmenting Emotion Communication

CHI 2020: 1-13.

Nathan Arthur Semertzidis, Michaela Scary, Josh Andres, Brahmi Dwivedi, Yutika Chandrashekhar Kulwe, Fabio Zambetta, Florian 'Floyd' Mueller (2020).

Deriving Subgoals Autonomously to Accelerate Learning in Sparse Reward Domains

AAAI 2019: 881-889

Michael Dann, Fabio Zambetta, John Thangarajah (2019).

Key publications by year

Expand all sections

  • Nathan Arthur Semertzidis, Michaela Scary, Xiao Fang, Xinyi Wang, Rakesh Patibanda, Josh Andres, Paul Strohmeier, Kai Kunze, Pedro Lopes, Fabio Zambetta, Florian 'Floyd' Mueller: SIGHInt: Special Interest Group for Human-Computer Integration. CHI Extended Abstracts 2021: 163:1-163:3 [CORE A*]
  • Asith Abeysinghe, Mohammad Fard, Fabio Zambetta, John Davy: Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient Temporal Feature Integration for Classifying Faulty Squeak and Rattle Noise. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 150(1):193-201. [SCIMAGO Q1]

  • Nathan Arthur Semertzidis, Michaela Scary, Josh Andres, Brahmi Dwivedi, Yutika Chandrashekhar Kulwe, Fabio Zambetta, Florian 'Floyd' Mueller: Neo-Noumena: Augmenting Emotion Communication. CHI 2020: 1-13. 3 [CORE A*]
  • Nathan Arthur Semertzidis, Michaela Scary, Josh Andres, Yutika C. Kulwe, Brahmi Dwivedi, Fabio Zambetta, Florian 'Floyd' Mueller: Neo-Noumena. CHI Extended Abstracts 2020: 1-4. 3 [CORE A*]

  • Michael Dann, Fabio Zambetta, John Thangarajah: Deriving Subgoals Autonomously to Accelerate Learning in Sparse Reward Domains. AAAI 2019: 881-889. 3 [CORE A*]
  • Nathan Arthur Semertzidis, Betty Sargeant, Justin Dwyer, Florian 'Floyd' Mueller, Fabio Zambetta: Towards Understanding the Design of Positive Pre-sleep Through a Neurofeedback Artistic Experience. CHI 2019: 574. 3 [CORE A*]
  • Jessica Rivera-Villicana, Fabio Zambetta, James Harland, Marsha Berry: Exploring Apprenticeship Learning for Player Modelling in Interactive Narratives. CHI PLAY (Companion) 2019: 645-652. 3 [CORE A]

  • Simon Demediuk, Marco Tamassia, William L. Raffe, Fabio Zambetta, Florian 'Floyd' Mueller, Xiaodong Li: Measuring player skill using dynamic difficulty adjustment. ACSW 2018: 41:1-41:7.
  • Jessica Rivera-Villicana, Fabio Zambetta, James Harland, Marsha Berry: Informing a BDI Player Model for an Interactive Narrative. CHI PLAY 2018: 417-428. [CORE A]
  • Jonathan Strugnell, Marsha Berry, Fabio Zambetta, Stefan Greuter: Narrative Improvisation: Simulating Game Master Choices. ICIDS 2018: 428-441.

  • Michael Dann, Fabio Zambetta, John Thangarajah: Reusing Skills for First-Time Solution of Navigation Tasks in Platform Videogames. AAMAS 2017: 1517-1519. [CORE A*]
  • Michael Dann, Fabio Zambetta, John Thangarajah: Real-Time Navigation in Classical Platform Games via Skill Reuse. IJCAI 2017: 1582-1588. [CORE A*]

  • Geoffrey W Lee, Fabio Zambetta, Xiaodong Li and Antonio G Paolini: Utilising reinforcement learning to develop strategies for driving auditory neural implants. Journal of Neural Engineering, 13(4): 046027 (2016). [SCIMAGO Q1, top 5%]
  • Marco Tamassia, Fabio Zambetta, William L. Raffe, Florian 'Floyd' Mueller, Xiaodong Li: Dynamic Choice of State Abstraction in Q-Learning. ECAI 2016: 46-54. [CORE A]
  • Jessica Rivera-Villicana, Fabio Zambetta, James Harland, Marsha Berry: Towards a BDI Player Model for Interactive Narratives. ECAI 2016: 1648-1649. [CORE A]

  • William L. Raffe, Marco Tamassia, Fabio Zambetta, Xiaodong Li, Sarah Jane Pell, Florian 'Floyd' Mueller: Player-Computer Interaction Features for Designing Digital Play Experiences across Six Degrees of Water Contact. CHI PLAY 2015: 295-305. [CORE A, nominated for Best Paper Award]

  • Tsz Ho Wong, Geoff Leach, Fabio Zambetta: Modelling Bending Behaviour in Cloth Simulation Using Hysteresis. Computer Graphics Forum 32(8): 183-194 (2013). [SCIMAGO Q1]
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Feature projects

Play It Again: preserving Australian video game history

ARC Linkage Project LP180100104 ($573,620, $180K to RMIT).

Melanie Swalwell; Helen Stuckey; Denise de Vries; Angela Ndalianis; Fabio Zambetta, Sebastian Chan (2019-2023).

ACW Phase 1 - Deep Intelligence Machine Simulator

Contract research funded by RDA (Rheinmetall Defence Australia) ($1,343,378)

Fabio Zambetta; Flora Salim; Jeffrey Chan; John Thangarajah; Timothy Wiley; Reza Hoseinnezhad; Alireza Bab-Hadiashar (2020-2021).

Enhancing the Australian theme park experience by harnessing virtual-physical play

ARC Linkage Project LP130100743 ($450,000), Industry Partner: Village Roadshow.

Xiaodong Li, Fabio Zambetta, Florian Mueller, Jon Satterley (2013-2016).

Key projects by year

Expand all sections

  • “ACW Phase 1 - Deep Intelligence Machine Simulator”, Contract research funded by RDA (Rheinmetall Defence Australia) ($1,343,378), Fabio Zambetta; Flora Salim; Jeffrey Chan; John Thangarajah; Timothy Wiley; Reza Hoseinnezhad; Alireza Bab-Hadiashar (2020-2021).

  • “Play It Again: preserving Australian video game history”, ARC Linkage Project LP180100104 ($573,620, $180K to RMIT). Melanie Swalwell; Helen Stuckey; Denise de Vries; Angela Ndalianis; Fabio Zambetta, Sebastian Chan (2019-2023).

  • “Enhancing the Australian theme park experience by harnessing virtual-physical play”, ARC Linkage Project LP130100743 ($450,000), Industry Partner: Village Roadshow. Xiaodong Li, Fabio Zambetta, Florian Mueller, Jon Satterley (2013-2016).
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Awards

Visiting Scholar, Microsoft Garage (Seattle, WA)

Award date: 2019

Recipients: Fabio Zambetta

Cloud Research Software Fellow, Microsoft Asia

Award date: 2019

Recipients: Fabio Zambetta

RMIT Campus Advisor, Github

Award date: 2020

Recipients: Fabio Zambetta

Key awards by year

Expand all sections

  • 2020 RMIT Campus Advisor, Github

  • 2019 Visiting Scholar, Microsoft Garage (Seattle, WA)
  • 2019 Cloud Research Software Fellow, Microsoft Asia
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Grants

National competitive grants

  • “Play It Again: preserving Australian video game history”, ARC Linkage Project LP180100104 ($573,620, $180K to RMIT). Melanie Swalwell; Helen Stuckey; Denise de Vries; Angela Ndalianis; Fabio Zambetta, Sebastian Chan (2019-2023).
  • “Enhancing the Australian theme park experience by harnessing virtual-physical play”, ARC Linkage Project LP130100743 ($450,000), Industry Partner: Village Roadshow. Xiaodong Li, Fabio Zambetta, Florian Mueller, Jon Satterley (2013-2016).
  • “An Extensible Agent-Based Framework for Exploring Climate Change Adaptation”, ARC Discovery Project DP1093290 ($290,000). Lin Padgham, Colin Fudge, Fabio Zambetta, Alexis Drogoul (2010-2012).
  • “A Framework for Adaptive Extensible Personae for Interactive Toys”, ARC Linkage grant LP0882013 ($380,000). Lin Padgham, Lawrence Cavedon, Barbara Kelly, Fabio Zambetta, Bob Wesson.
     

Other competitive grants

  • “Capability development for 3D virtual representation of stress visualisation data in geometrically components”, funded by Defence Science Institute ($50,000). Ruwan Tennakoon, Piergiovanni Marzocca, Fabio Zambetta, Reza Hoseinnezhad.
  • “Summer School on Experimental Play”, funded by ACM Special Group on Computer-Human Interaction ($15,000). Florian Mueller, Fabio Zambetta, Rohit Khot (2018).
  • “Summer School on Playful Interaction”, funded by ACM Special Group on Computer-Human Interaction ($15,000). Florian Mueller, Fabio Zambetta, Stefan Greuter, Rohit Khot (2017).
  • “Interactive Simulation for Bushfire Evacuation Planning”, Telematics Trust Telematics Course Development Fund Grant ($29,850). Lin Padgham, Fabio Zambetta (2014).
  • “Evaluation of Flood Preparation Game as a Community Education Tool”, Telematics Trust Grant ($29,839). Lin Padgham, Fabio Zambetta, Ralph Horne (2013).
     

Industry funding

  • “Development of an Optimised Tyre-Barrier Design for Racing Car Safety Enhancement”, funded by FIA (Federation Internationale De L'Automobile) ($334,567). Mohammad Fard; Fabio Zambetta; Hamid Khayyam; Rory Gover (2021-2022).
  • “ACW Phase 1 - Deep Intelligence Machine Simulator”, Contract research funded by RDA (Rheinmetall Defence Australia) ($1,343,378), Fabio Zambetta; Flora Salim; Jeffrey Chan; John Thangarajah; Timothy Wiley; Reza Hoseinnezhad; Alireza Bab-Hadiashar (2020-2021).
  • “Cloud Research Software Fellowship”, funded by Microsoft Asia ($3000 + $7000 Azure cloud credit). Fabio Zambetta (2019).
  • “Research & Innovation games lab”, funded by Village Roadshow ($120,000). Fabio Zambetta (2018)
  • “Videobusters: A game platform designed to generate direct and inferred film preference data”, funded by Village Roadshow ($100,000). Fabio Zambetta (2016-2017).
  • “Video Busters: A novel game approach to innovate online video content delivery”, funded by Village Roadshow Digital. Fabio Zambetta ($20,000)
  • “Communicating social economic responsibility in retirement planning by gamification and interactive narrative generation.”, funded by ANZ Baking Group ($30,000). Fabio Zambetta, John Thangarajah (2015).
  • “To develop an intelligent learning environment for Year 7/8 students”, funded by Australian Council for Educational Research ($62,500). John Thangarajah, Fabio Zambetta (2014).
     

RMIT grants

  • “A multidisciplinary Hackathon for project LIBER”, funded by Enabling Impact Platforms @ RMIT ($10,000). Fabio Zambetta, Falk Scholer (2019).
  • “Generalized Reinforcement Learning for Characters in 3D Virtual Environments”, RMIT Emerging Researchers Grant. Fabio Zambetta (2006).
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Public and media engagements

Public lectures, seminars and presentations

  • Presentation to AECOM Australia Leadership Group. Gaming in the engineering industry: what is next, 23/7/2021.
  • L&T Digital Innovation Seminar (STEM College), Augmented Reality in Education, 23/7/2021.
  • Invited keynote lecture at the School of Engineering milestone conference. Managing complex R&D projects, 17/2/2021.
  • Center for Educational Enterprise, Invited talk @ Melbourne Girls Grammar. AI + Mixed Reality, 16/8/2019.
  • Microsoft Garage. Adaptive Textbook: A Visiting Scholar project, 5/4/2019.
  • Invited talk at Department of Computer Science, University of Bari. The Quest for the automated Game Master, 22/12/2018.
  • Innovating with Impact seminar series @ Deloitte Melbourne. AI + MR = Envisioning the future of Computer-Human Interaction, 28/6/2018.
  • Wunderman-Bienalto seminar series. The Quest for the Mixed-Reality Game Master, 5/5/2017.
  • Games Research in the ATN network (RMIT University), Games AI research at RMIT - CS&IT, 26/6/2014.
  • Centre for Research in Complex Systems (Charles Sturt University), An overview of games AI research at RMIT - CS&IT, 6/9/2012.
  • Agents VIC Seminar series, The quest for an automatic Game Master, 30/11/2011.

 

Media statements/interviews

  • AI learns how to play Montezuma’s Revenge, Venturebeat (31/1/2019).
  • Atari master: New AI smashes Google DeepMind in video game challenge, Science Daily (31/1/2019).
  • RMIT University Created an AI That's Really Good at Atari 2600 Games, AusGamers (31/1/2019).
  • Algorithm helps AI triumph in Atari, Cosmos Magazine (31/1/2019).
  • Skynet's the limit: Artificial Intelligence gets smarter playing video games, SBS Italian (27/12/2018)
  • Star Trek’s Holodeck: from science fiction to a new reality. The Conversation (28/03/2017).
  • VR Gaming. Channel 10’s “Scope” (22/10/2017).
  • Career Interview. RAI - Italian National TV Broadcasting Service (26/11/2016).
  • The positive effects of videogames. SBS Radio (7/9/2016).
  • Virtual Apocalypse. Channel 10’s “The Project” (16/05/2016).
  • Intelligent interactions the latest park theme. The Australian (5/11/2013).
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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information