OUR PEOPLE

Mohammed Hikmet, Executive Chairman

Mohammed Hikmet leads HMI Technologies, steering the strategic direction and research and development, and is the Executive Chairman of its subsidiary Ohmio.

Mohammed founded HMI Technologies with his brother Ahmed in 1999. The business has become one of Asia-Pacific's most innovative intelligent transport systems and autonomous vehicle businesses. A suite of business awards, as well as national and international standards achievements, verifies the company’s commitment to quality and standards.

Mohammed is recognised as a leader by industry peers, appointed as President of Intelligent Transport Systems New Zealand 2015-2017. Nationally, he has been appointed by the Ministry of Transport to the ITS Leadership Group. Internationally, Mohammed sits on the ITS World Congress Board of Directors and ITS Asia Pacific Board of Directors (Chaired the Board 2013-2015). He is also the Head of the New Zealand Delegation to the ISO TC204 international standards committee. Most recently, Mohammed was recognised as New Zealand’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year.

Dean Zabrieszach, Chief Executive

Dean Zabrieszach is the Chief Executive of Ohmio, and its parent company - HMI Technologies, which is dedicated to the provision of world leading intelligent transport systems to a range of clients including transport agencies, governments and commercial entities. Prior to becoming CEO for HMI Technologies globally, Dean led HMI Technologies in Australia from 2015 through to 2017, successfully establishing HMI Technologies as a challenger, securing major projects for the company and expanding operations to open offices in three states.

Dean has a strong reputation in the industry in Australia and also globally. In November 2017, Dean became President of ITS Australia after several years as Vice President and Project Director for the highly successful 2016 ITS World Congress in Melbourne. He is a member of the ITS Asia Pacific Board of Directors and World Congress International Program Committee. Dean is also the Australian Head of Delegation to the ISO TC204 international standards organization committee, determining international standards for ITS systems.  

Dean's career has seen him hold several senior roles at VicRoads, the Victorian State Government’s Road Authority, including Manager Intelligent Transport Systems, Director Road User Services and Director Road Operations. Dean holds a BE (Civil) from the University of Melbourne.

PETE COSTELLO, DIRECTOR THE AMERICAS

Pete leads Ohmio's business in the Americas and is focused on achieving full certification of Ohmio's autonomous shuttles to US requirements. Pete has been in the intelligent transportation systems (ITS) industry for 25 years developing programs, managing technical projects and growing world-class businesses.   

Throughout his career, Pete has worked at industry leaders like Feonix –Mobility Rising, Econolite, Iteris, INRIX, PBS&J and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America across many ITS disciplines. Pete has a deep proficiency and knowledge of advanced transportation technologies through deploying: ITS; transportation systems management and operations; Mobility as a Service; smart cities; transportation big data; analytics and performance measures; and advanced traveler information services to save time, money and lives and achieve Vision Zero.    

Andrew Mehaffey, director nsw

As Director – NSW for HMI Technologies, Andrew leads the Sydney office for this Australasian company well known for innovation in transport technologies, including the advancement of Automated Vehicle technologies.  This role has included leading the NSW Smart Shuttle Automated Vehicle trial at Sydney Olympic Park, as well as collaborating with sister company Ohmio in the development of the Ohmio LIFT Autonomous Shuttle vehicle.

Andrew has an established national and international reputation as a leading respected expert in smart transport systems, and has represented Australia as a transport technology expert in numerous national and international forums, including leading the development of International Standards.  

Andrew has initiated and led the delivery of a broad range of major high-profile advanced transport technology solutions in Australia and internationally.  His career has included senior government roles where he led the provision of ITS on roads in the state of New South Wales, as well as leading the development of the internationally renowned SCATS traffic signal control system. Andrew holds degree qualifications in engineering, ICT and administration.

robert sykora, director europe

Robert leads the Luxembourg office for Ohmio Automotion – the European branch of the Australasian company. In his role he is responsible for the set-up of the business in Europe as well as advancing local R&D competence for the further development of the Ohmio LIFT Autonomous Shuttle vehicle.

He is a senior ITS professional with broad experience and a more than 35-years track record in managing and selling complex business and ITS services and solutions. With his sound background in the creation, growth and financial management of an ITS business, he provided consultancy, M&A, integration and supply services to the corporate ITS market.

In standardisation he contributed for many years as a Convenor, Head of Delegation and Expert within ISO TC204 and CEN TC 278. In Europe he is well known as member of several associations and advisory boards incl. the Board of Directors of the ITS World Congresses.

Robert holds a masters degree (Dipl.- Inform.) in Computer Science.

ian pulford, director united kingdom

Ian leads our UK operation - Ohmio UK Limited, based in Milton Keynes. In his role, he is responsible for the set-up of the business in the UK, as well as advancing local capabilities for the further development of Ohmio services.

Ian is a senior telecommunication professional and has filled executive roles in the UK and overseas. Since leaving BT (British Telecommunications), he has led SME businesses, focused on smart city initiatives, and worked with central and local governments to deliver large scale programmes on behalf of corporates, councils, and universities.

Ian brings drive and ambition, leading the deployment of core connectivity and data-centric projects, delivering sector specific pilots in health, energy, water, transport, and citizen engagement. Most recently, he has been involved in deploying 5G infrastructure for operation of drones, robots and CAV’s, in customer environments.

Ian has a background in electrical engineering and holds an MBA from Temple University (Tokyo campus), attaining the Dean’s Award for excellence.

Hartmut Beintken, Chief Engineering and Research Officer

Hartmut is responsible for Ohmio’s and HMI’s engineering activities.  He started with HMI Technologies in March 2012 as R&D manager. Besides working on HMI’s electronic sign products, he was also involved in the design and development of HMI’s ITS sensor systems.

Starting in 2016/17, he has been involved in the Ohmio self-driving shuttle system and had a major share in the development of the Ohmio-Hop concept vehicles as well as the Ohmio-Lift self-driving shuttles delivered to Christchurch airport and several Korean clients.

Currently Hartmut is leading the development team for the robotics system of the Ohmio self-driving shuttles. In this capacity Hartmut is directly involved in algorithm and system development as well as testing strategies and is overseeing design, implementation, testing and client support activities for Ohmio’s self-driving shuttle products.

Hartmut has over 25 years of combined international experience in electrical and electronic engineering with more than 15 years in management positions. He has a background in electronics, semiconductors and industrial safety working in Germany and the US for Siemens, Infineon, Micronas (now TDK) and TUV. He has extensive experience in electronics and embedded system design and has worked on many worldwide projects. Hartmut holds degrees in Electrical Engineering and Electronics Engineering from Germany and the UK.

DR MAHMOOD HIKMET, Phd, Head of Research and Development

Dr Mahmood Hikmet is the Head of Research and Development at Ohmio and HMI Technologies and is tasked with overseeing and synchronising R&D activity for the autonomous vehicle program and all other areas of research.

Throughout his career, Mahmood has been closely involved with the direct development of IoT infrastructure for intelligent transportation and mobility. Most recently, Mahmood oversaw the development of the first 5G connected autonomous shuttle in the world in conjunction with Spark as well as the delivery of the largest 3D printed autonomous vehicle in the world, the Ohmio LIFT, to Christchurch Airport.

Mahmood holds a PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering and a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Auckland.

martin matthews, strategic advisor

Martin has worked with, and advised, Ohmio and HMI since 2016 when he facilitated setting up our autonomous vehicle trial at Christchurch International Airport. For a period in late 2017 he served as President of the Company, before deciding to focus on building his own consulting business. Since then Martin has worked as a consultant to the business.

Martin was Secretary for Transport in New Zealand for eight years. In this capacity he led the Ministry of Transport which is responsible for advising the government on policy, regulatory and investment settings for all modes of transport – road, rail, aviation and maritime. He was responsible for a budget of over $4 billion and for the oversight of all the transport agencies. Martin was internationally recognised for his leadership of thinking about the future of transport and mobility. In 2015 he was one of only three people inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Intelligent Transport System World Congress.