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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 instructional establishments cultivating future expertise, the group helps all sides of this burgeoning trade. Its mission aligns with the broader nationwide aims, as not too long ago underscored by the Australian authorities’s Nationwide Robotics Technique.
Nationwide Robotics Technique factors the best way to innovation
Ed Husic, MP and the minister for trade and science, not too long ago announced the National Robotics Strategy. 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 sturdy 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 formidable imaginative and prescient.”
This technique goals to speed up the adoption of robotics and automation applied sciences throughout varied 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 deal with the nation’s distinctive challenges.
Some examples of the world-leading subject 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, lively participation within the improvement of the technique, the contributions made by publishing Australian Robotic Roadmaps, and continued advocacy.
“We’ve got deep pockets of robotics excellence in Australia, we are going to turn into drastically 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 varied stakeholders throughout the ecosystem. By fostering collaborations, facilitating analysis and improvement, and selling instructional 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 functions.
Robotics gives Australia a strategic benefit
”We’ve got overcome the core challenges of a really giant land and sparsely populated nation in an effort to ship plenty of notable outcomes,” stated Kirchner. “Nonetheless, by doing so, we’ve developed a big strategic benefit within the subject laborious robotics”
Australia’s geographical and demographic traits make it a perfect candidate for pioneering superior robotics, asserted the group. The nation’s huge landmass, coupled with a comparatively small and dispersed inhabitants, creates a unique set of challenges that robotics can successfully deal with. Distant areas usually require advanced 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 points of robotics, stated the group.
Industries similar to mining, ports, transport and logistics, development, agriculture, and protection have lengthy benefited from Australia’s field-hardened robotics mental property, the group added. This sturdy basis of experience and innovation positions Australia to leverage robotics in fixing crucial issues and enhancing operational efficiencies throughout these sectors, it stated.
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,” 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 rejoice this vital 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 setting conducive to innovation, collaboration, and worldwide trade, the group stated.
“With the Nationwide Robotics Technique as a guiding framework, Australia is poised to turn into a world chief in robotics and automation,” stated Kirchner.
This imaginative and prescient can solely be realized by collective effort and a strategic method to worldwide collaboration. By establishing a bi-directional conduit for deep business trade 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 functions 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 path supplied by the Nationwide Robotics Technique, pave the best way 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 is not only 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 international management within the robotics sector,” stated 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 Progressive” by Engineers Australia and one of many “High Ten Younger Scientists” by In style 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 be a enterprise accomplice at a number one hardware-first enterprise capital agency.
He has held prestigious positions similar to head of robotics at a serious development firm and at Stanford College, the College of Technology Sydney, and Ohio State College.
