Advanced manufacturing facility opens in Launceston

The University of Tasmania last week opened its new Advanced Sensor Manufacturing Facility (ASMF), to be operated in partnership with Launceston firm Definium Technologies. It will manufacture sensor prototypes to be embedded across the emerging Internet of Things (IoT) and serve as a training and education centre for students at the University of Tasmania.

The facility was born out of both opportunities and demand created by the growing Sense-T research program, a collaboration between the Australian Government, CSIRO and the University of Tasmania that uses sensing technologies and data analytics to improve decision-making. It is expected to deliver impact and value for industry, government and the community by:

• manufacturing sensors which will support an ecosystem of data collection and analysis for Tasmanian businesses;
• supporting a network which will connect with back-end cloud-based communication with applications for sectors including agriculture, viticulture and aquaculture industries;
• providing small companies and larger organisations with the capability to rapidly deploy sensor prototypes in a cost- and time-efficient manner.

“This is smart, future-facing manufacturing,” said University of Tasmania Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Brigid Heywood. “This will position Launceston, and Tasmania, as an innovative provider of advanced circuit board components and electronic hardware design.”

Sense-T Director Associate Professor Dr Stephen Cahoon said Sense-T has developed a close working relationship with Definium Technologies in recent years and it was the natural partner for the ASMF.

“The ASMF is an important component of our data value chain as it will enable 21st-century sensor technology to be developed in Launceston for our suite of innovative projects,” Professor Cahoon said.

“These sensors will collect the necessary real-time data that, when combined with Sense-T’s data analytics capabilities, will provide new business insights and evidence-based decision-making for managers in a range of sectors, from agriculture to transport logistics.

“The Sense-T program has already leveraged millions of dollars of additional funding into the state and created more than 150 new jobs to underpin emerging businesses seeking to exploit digital technologies. The new ASMF is a natural extension of the Sense-T program and an important launch pad for a smart Tasmania.”

Image caption: Launceston nightscape. Image courtesy of Jes under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0