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The group’s board, as of November 2023, from left to proper, again row: Dr. Sue Keay (chair), Brenton Cunningham, Christian Ruberg, Tim Bradley, Dr. Nathan Kirchner; entrance row: Dr. John Vial, Tamanna Monem, Kathie van Vugt, Nicci Rossouw, Angus Robinson. Supply: Robotics Australia Group
The robotics trade in Australia stands on the precipice of a transformative period, pushed by a shared imaginative and prescient of sustainability and innovation. On the forefront of this motion is the Robotics Australia Group, an group dedicated to nurturing a complete robotics ecosystem.
From firms growing cutting-edge robotic applied sciences to academic establishments cultivating future expertise, the group helps all aspects of this burgeoning trade. Its mission aligns with the broader nationwide targets, as not too long ago underscored by the Australian authorities’s Nationwide Robotics Technique.
Nationwide Robotics Technique factors the way in which to innovation
Ed Husic, MP and the minister for trade and science, not too long ago introduced the Nationwide Robotics Technique. It marks a big milestone for the Australian robotics sector, stated the Robotics Australia Group.
“The technique not solely highlights the present achievements, but in addition lays a strong basis for future developments,” acknowledged Dr. Nathan Kirchner, founding director of the group. “It’s a name to trade stakeholders to collaborate and drive ahead this bold imaginative and prescient.”
This technique goals to speed up the adoption of robotics and automation applied sciences throughout numerous industries, a transfer that’s integral to the broader imaginative and prescient of a “Future Made in Australia.” The technique is imbued with optimism, promising substantial developments and positioning Australia as a frontrunner in robotics innovation on the worldwide stage.
Minister Husic’s declaration signaled the Australian authorities’s dedication to harnessing the potential of robotics to handle the nation’s distinctive challenges.
Some examples of the world-leading discipline robotics delivered by group members. Supply: Robotics Australia Group
Minister acknowledges Robotics Australia contributions
The group stated its contributions have been instrumental in shaping the present panorama of the Australian robotics trade. Throughout his announcement of the Nationwide Robotics Technique, Husic acknowledged its sustained efforts, energetic participation within the improvement of the technique, the contributions made via publishing Australian Robotic Roadmaps, and continued advocacy.
“We’ve deep pockets of robotics excellence in Australia, we are going to grow to be significantly extra aggressive on the world stage by becoming a member of them collectively,” stated Kirchner. “The Nationwide Robotics Technique is a big step in the direction of that. I’m very proud that the underpinning groundwork of the Robotics Australia Group has been acknowledged.”
The group has labored to help numerous stakeholders throughout the ecosystem. By fostering collaborations, facilitating analysis and improvement, and selling academic initiatives, it stated it has created a fertile floor for the robotics trade to thrive. The group added that it’s working to make sure that the advantages of robotics and automation are accessible to a broad vary of industries and purposes.
Robotics gives Australia a strategic benefit
”We’ve overcome the core challenges of a really massive land and sparsely populated nation with the intention to ship various notable outcomes,” stated Kirchner. “Nonetheless, via doing so, we now have developed a big strategic benefit within the discipline arduous robotics”
Australia’s geographical and demographic traits make it an excellent candidate for pioneering superior robotics, asserted the group. The nation’s huge landmass, coupled with a comparatively small and dispersed inhabitants, creates a distinctive set of challenges that robotics can successfully deal with. Distant areas usually require complicated duties to be accomplished, and robots can considerably improve effectivity and security in these environments.
Furthermore, Australia boasts a exceptional depth of native expertise and experience in each {hardware} and software program features of robotics, stated the group.
Industries corresponding to mining, ports, transport and logistics, building, agriculture, and protection have lengthy benefited from Australia’s field-hardened robotics mental property, the group added. This strong basis of experience and innovation positions Australia to leverage robotics in fixing essential issues and enhancing operational efficiencies throughout these sectors, it stated.
One of many cutting-edge manufacturing installations developed by Utilized Robotics, a gaggle member. Supply: Robotics Australia Group
Sector celebrates wins and appears forward
“The announcement of the Nationwide Robotics Technique is an thrilling and commendable first step,” stated the group. “Nonetheless, it’s important to acknowledge that that is merely the start. The trail to a totally realized, sustainable robotics trade in Australia requires continued effort and focus. Whereas we have fun this important achievement, it’s essential to stay vigilant and dedicated to solidifying these preliminary steps to make sure long-term progress.”
The way forward for robotics in Australia holds immense potential, it famous. By utilizing the momentum generated by the Nationwide Robotics Technique, the nation’s trade can aspire to new heights on the worldwide stage. This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders to foster an surroundings conducive to innovation, collaboration, and worldwide change, the group stated.
“With the Nationwide Robotics Technique as a guiding framework, Australia is poised to grow to be a world chief in robotics and automation,” stated Kirchner.
This imaginative and prescient can solely be realized via collective effort and a strategic method to worldwide collaboration. By establishing a bi-directional conduit for deep business change in robotics and AI, Australia can place itself on the forefront of technological innovation.
The longer term success of the robotics trade hinges on the flexibility to combine superior applied sciences into sensible purposes that deal with real-world challenges. The group stated that it and different trade stakeholders should proceed to advocate for insurance policies and initiatives that help analysis, improvement, and the commercialization of robotics applied sciences.
“The dedication of the Robotics Australia Group to constructing a sustainable robotics trade in Australia is each inspiring and essential,” Kirchner stated. “Their efforts, coupled with the strategic course supplied by the Nationwide Robotics Technique, pave the way in which for a future the place robotics and automation play a central function in addressing the nation’s distinctive challenges. By celebrating present achievements and sustaining a steadfast give attention to future targets, Australia can obtain exceptional developments within the robotics trade.”
On this journey, it’s important to stay proactive, collaborative, and visionary. With a collective effort, the imaginative and prescient of a “Future Made in Australia” powered by superior robotics isn’t just a dream, but in addition an imminent actuality. The group is at present spearheading the manufacturing of the third version of the Robotics Roadmap for Australia, scheduled for launch in 2025.
“Collectively, we will propel Australia to new heights of innovation and world management within the robotics sector,” stated the group.
In regards to the writer
Dr. Nathan G.E. Kirchner is a serial startup founder and advisor, company ventures advisor, professor, and founding director of a peak physique. He has been acknowledged as one in every of “Australia’s Most Modern” by Engineers Australia and one of many “High Ten Younger Scientists” by Fashionable Science journal.
With over 25 years in trade and academia, Kirchner has based and led a number of robotics-AI startups, and he serves as a founding director of the Robotics Australia Group. Kirchner can also be a enterprise accomplice at a number one hardware-first enterprise capital agency.
He has held prestigious positions corresponding to head of robotics at a significant building firm and at Stanford College, the College of Expertise Sydney, and Ohio State College.
