Humbulani Simon Phuluwa

Tshwane University of Technology, University of South Africa

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Humbulani Simon Phuluwa is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of intelligent automation and sustainable industrial systems. His work centers on human-robot collaboration and the integration of artificial intelligence with robotics for advanced manufacturing and maintenance. Phuluwa’s foundational study, "Human-Robot Collaboration In a Small Scale Rail Industry: Demanufacturing Operations" (2018, 7 citations), addresses a critical challenge in South Africa’s rail sector: safely and productively recovering components from end-of-life train cars. This research provides a framework for combining human dexterity with robotic precision, directly impacting the circular economy in heavy industry. More recently, his forward-looking comprehensive review, "Artificial intelligence and robotics in predictive maintenance" (2026, 2 citations), charts a paradigm shift from reactive and scheduled maintenance to proactive, data-driven strategies. By synthesizing AI’s analytical power with robotic execution, Phuluwa is helping define the future of industrial asset management. His work is notable for its practical focus on real-world implementation challenges, positioning him as a key voice in the evolution of smart, sustainable manufacturing and maintenance ecosystems.