Queensland is the site of a new robotics testing and research center operated by Data61, the digital innovation arm of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)—Australia’s national science agency.
The 600-square-foot Robotics Innovation Centre is a research facility purpose-built for robotics, autonomous systems, machine learning and artificial intelligence work.
“The new centre expands our research infrastructure to develop highly autonomous robotics systems that can interact safely and seamlessly with humans and other dynamic agents, in challenging indoor and outdoor environments,” said Fred Pauling, Robotics and Autonomous Systems group leader at Data61.
Aquatic robots will be tested in the center’s 13 by 5 meter pool, and the grounds will feature a veritable crowd of field-ready unmanned aerial vehicles and ground vehicles, legged robots, high-accuracy robot manipulators as well as sensors and telemetry systems. The facility also features dedicated mechanical and electronics engineering laboratories, several high-end rapid prototyping machines, large sheds for indoors systems testing, an open-air flying area and outdoor testing areas including a forest and creek.
The facility also boasts the biggest motion capture system in the Southern Hemisphere, which engineers use to validate data collected by the robots it tests.
Data61 is already making a name for itself as a leader in cutting-edge robotics technologies. Some of its robots are already in use inspecting and creating 3D maps of underground mines, tracking and analyzing biodiversity in the Amazon, and providing emergency support in difficult terrain environments. Data61 is also leading a project to test a technology that rapidly maps navigates and searches underground landscapes for the U.S. Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
“Robotics and autonomous systems technologies, underpinned by machine learning and artificial intelligence, will unlock new value in all manner of sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare and mining,” said Adrian Turner, CEO of Data61.
CSIRO anticipates that the robotics and autonomous systems industry will grow to A$23 billion by 2025—and is determined to position Australia as a leader in the sector. Last year Data61 helped found the Sixth Wave Alliance, a network of robotics research organizations and industry leaders with the aim to enable better R&D collaboration in the country. The new robotics facility should facilitate collaboration between industry, academia and government to make Australia a major center of robotics development.
“By creating a cohesive approach to robotics R&D through closer collaboration, supported by world-class facilities like the Robotics Innovation Centre, we can ensure Australia is well placed to benefit from Industry 4.0 and help to protect and accelerate our nation’s ongoing economic success,” said Turner.
Read more about high-tech industry down under at Australia Positioning Itself as Leading Lithium Supplier.