Tom Drummond
Also known as Tom W. Drummond
Tom Drummond is a computer vision researcher whose machine learning work on corner detection supports real-time vision for robotics and augmented reality. He studied mathematics at the University of Cambridge from 1985 to 1988, worked at CSIRO, and from 1994 to 1998 completed a doctorate at Curtin University on learning to recognise important objects. At Cambridge he moved from research associate to senior lecturer, and in 2006 he and Edward Rosten published the FAST corner detector. From 2010 to 2021 he was a professor at Monash University and a chief investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Robotic Vision, and he received the Könderink prize and an ISMAR impact award. He is the Melbourne Connect Chair of Digital Innovation for Society at the University of Melbourne.
- Now at
- Monash University
- Works
- 223
- Citations
- 15,027
- h-index
- 43
Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 17 October 2026.
Timeline
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1985–1998
Mathematics and a Curtin doctorate
From 1985 to 1988 he takes a BA in mathematics at the University of Cambridge. From 1990 to 1994 he is assistant to the communications manager at the CSIRO Division of Mineral and Process Engineering. From 1994 to 1998 he completes a PhD at Curtin University on learning to recognise important objects in a visual environment.
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1998–2010
A Cambridge lectureship
In 1998 he becomes a research associate at the University of Cambridge. He is a university lecturer from 2001 to 2004 and a senior university lecturer from 2005 to 2010.
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2006
The FAST corner detector
In 2006 he and Edward Rosten publish the FAST corner detector. Machine learning for high-speed corner detection shows that machine learning can derive a feature detector which fully processes live PAL video in less than 7 percent of the available processing time.
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2010–2021
Professor at Monash
In 2010 he becomes a professor at Monash University. He heads the Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering and is chief investigator and Monash node leader for the ARC Centre of Excellence in Robotic Vision. He receives the Könderink prize for his research.
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October 2016
Rich feedback for learning
In October 2016 he heads the Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering at Monash University and is involved in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Robotic Vision. He says rich feedback is needed so AI systems can know why answers are incorrect.
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2018
An ISMAR impact award
In 2018 he is a recipient of the ISMAR Impact Paper Award for Pose tracking from natural features on mobile phones.
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2021
Melbourne Connect Chair
In 2021 he is appointed Melbourne Connect Chair of Digital Innovation for Society at the University of Melbourne. His research includes machine learning, computer vision, and real-time vision for augmented reality, robotics, and assistive technologies.
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May 2026
Lung imaging in 2026
In May 2026 he is a contributing author of AI-driven lung imaging. He is the Melbourne Connect Chair of Digital Innovation for Society at the University of Melbourne.
Sources and credits
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- Tom Drummond: About me
- Features from accelerated segment test - Wikipedia
- Machine learning for high-speed corner detection : Find an Expert : The University of Melbourne
- Professor Tom Drummond - Melbourne Monash Consciousness Research
- Machine learning needs rich feedback for AI teaching: Monash professor - ZDNET
- ISMAR - The IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality
- AI-driven lung imaging: Advancing early diagnosis and monitoring
- Tom Drummond - University of Melbourne | Open Access Government