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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 business 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 corporations creating cutting-edge robotic applied sciences to instructional establishments cultivating future expertise, the group helps all aspects of this burgeoning business. Its mission aligns with the broader nationwide aims, as lately 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 business and science, lately introduced the Nationwide Robotics Technique. It marks a big milestone for the Australian robotics sector, mentioned the Robotics Australia Group.
“The technique not solely highlights the present achievements, but additionally lays a sturdy basis for future developments,” acknowledged Dr. Nathan Kirchner, founding director of the group. “It’s a name to business stakeholders to collaborate and drive ahead this formidable imaginative and prescient.”Â
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 pacesetter 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 mentioned its contributions have been instrumental in shaping the present panorama of the Australian robotics business. Throughout his announcement of the Nationwide Robotics Technique, Husic acknowledged its sustained efforts, lively participation within the improvement of the technique, the contributions made by means of publishing Australian Robotic Roadmaps, and continued advocacy.
“We now have deep pockets of robotics excellence in Australia, we’ll change into enormously extra aggressive on the world stage by becoming a member of them collectively,” mentioned 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 assist numerous stakeholders inside the ecosystem. By fostering collaborations, facilitating analysis and improvement, and selling instructional initiatives, it mentioned it has created a fertile floor for the robotics business 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 now have overcome the core challenges of a really massive land and sparsely populated nation so as to ship a variety of notable outcomes,” mentioned Kirchner. “However, by means of doing so, we’ve developed a big strategic benefit within the discipline onerous robotics”Â
Australia’s geographical and demographic traits make it a great 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 tackle. Distant areas typically 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 facets of robotics, mentioned the group.
Industries resembling 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 mentioned.
One of many cutting-edge manufacturing installations developed by Utilized Robotics, a bunch 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,” mentioned the group. “Nonetheless, it’s important to acknowledge that that is merely the start. The trail to a completely realized, sustainable robotics business in Australia requires continued effort and focus. Whereas we have a good time 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. Through the use of the momentum generated by the Nationwide Robotics Technique, the nation’s business can aspire to new heights on the worldwide stage. This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders to foster an atmosphere conducive to innovation, collaboration, and worldwide trade, the group mentioned.
“With the Nationwide Robotics Technique as a guiding framework, Australia is poised to change into a world chief in robotics and automation,” mentioned Kirchner.
This imaginative and prescient can solely be realized by means of collective effort and a strategic method to worldwide collaboration. By establishing a bi-directional conduit for deep industrial trade in robotics and AI, Australia can place itself on the forefront of technological innovation.
The long run success of the robotics business hinges on the flexibility to combine superior applied sciences into sensible purposes that tackle real-world challenges. The group mentioned that it and different business stakeholders should proceed to advocate for insurance policies and initiatives that assist analysis, improvement, and the commercialization of robotics applied sciences.
“The dedication of the Robotics Australia Group to constructing a sustainable robotics business in Australia is each inspiring and essential,” Kirchner mentioned. “Their efforts, coupled with the strategic path offered by the Nationwide Robotics Technique, pave the way in which for a future the place robotics and automation play a central position in addressing the nation’s distinctive challenges. By celebrating present achievements and sustaining a steadfast concentrate on future targets, Australia can obtain exceptional developments within the robotics business.”
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 additionally 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,” mentioned the group.
Concerning the creator
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 Standard Science journal.
With over 25 years in business 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 be a enterprise accomplice at a number one hardware-first enterprise capital agency.
He has held prestigious positions resembling head of robotics at a serious building firm and at Stanford College, the College of Expertise Sydney, and Ohio State College.