Robotics Roadmap to guide automation in Australia

Australia’s first ever Robotics Roadmap was unveiled last week at Parliament House, in an effort to guide and grow robotics and automation in Australia.

‘A Robotics Roadmap for Australia’ was pioneered and produced by QUT’s Australian Centre for Robotic Vision, which collated submissions and coordinated a national roadshow across five Australian capital cities. Leaders in academia, industry and government all helped shape the roadmap through submissions and workshops held in late 2017.

Dr Sue Keay, Chief Operating Officer of the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision, described the roadmap as “a first step towards a national strategy to invest in robotic technology to create and support a vibrant economy, community and nation”. The roadmap aims to create the grounds for the necessary cooperation to allow robots to help unlock human potential, modernise the economy and build national health, wellbeing and sustainability.

“Australia’s continued high standard of living depends on us improving productivity 2.5% every year,” Dr Keay said. “With our ageing population this won’t come from labour productivity alone but will rely on automation. Automation is predicted to deliver Australia a $2.2 trillion dividend over the next 15 years if we encourage businesses to accelerate their uptake of new technologies such as robotics.

“With support and collaboration between industries, government, researchers and developers, in coming years we will see robotic technology developed that can help maintain our living standards, protect the environment, provide services to remote communities, reduce healthcare costs and create more efficient and safer workplaces.

“Australia has a talented pool of robotics leaders and researchers who are working on some incredibly exciting projects. We have an opportunity to take a collaborative, multisector approach to education, funding and legislation to benefit industries and lead the way in the development of robotic technology that can solve real global challenges.”

Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel AO, who launched the roadmap, emphasised its importance in unlocking Australia’s robotics potential for industry.

“Robots and artificial intelligence are appearing in every industry sector, with huge practical impact on the way we live, work and plan for the future,” he said. “This roadmap shows just how quickly this field is moving, and the rewards available to a robot-ready Australia.”

The roadmap is available for download at roboticsroadmapau.org.

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