As we start 2023, it’s time to reflect on our achievements and unveil our plans for the future. Robotics Australia Group was incorporated in May 2020 as a not-for-profit entity to act as the voice for Robotics in Australia and support the development of a sustainable robotics industry. Our headline achievement has been seeing the federal government commit to developing a National Robotics Strategy by March this year! We have engaged in a lot of advocacy in the background to see this result and we represent the robotics industry on the strategy advisory committee. More details are included in an update on the strategy consultation process. It is really exciting to see that the Department of Industry, Science and Resources now has a Robotics policy team, with robotics recognised as a priority area and an important new industry for the nation.
Since start-up we have run multiple webinars (our first attracting more than 500 people) and produced a second Robotics Roadmap for Australia (2022). Compared to the 2018 roadmap, the 2022 version saw an increase in participation in the consultation sessions from 92 to 1058 people and an increase in case studies from 58 to 98 (and we weren’t even soliciting them). The end of 2021 also saw the submission of a MMI bid to create a robotics venture factory worth $70m at a former agricultural college located in Emerald, Queensland. The submission created a lot of momentum and interest amongst both robotics companies, government, venture companies and other related parties although unfortunately we discovered late last year that our bid was unsuccessful but we continue to look at options to support the scale-up of sovereign robotics companies.
The roadmaps have been key drivers for the establishment of several robotics initiatives. Robotic (and drone) testing grounds being developed at Neerabup in WA, and Cloncurry in Queensland, smart mobility precincts being established in Joondalup (WA) and Redland (QLD), while Australia’s expertise in remote operations and robotics has been recognised by two WA-led initiatives: AROSE (Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth) and SPaaRC (the Australian Space Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Control Complex). Our international profile has been recognised by requests for capability information and also our involvement as a founding member of the International Alliance of Robotics Associations (IARA).
Our focus for 2023 will be would be directed towards the goal of ensuring that our work supports the broader robotics ecosystem/community and, specifically, encourages the growth of a commercial industry that has:
- More venture capital investment
- More people working in robotics
- More companies being commercially viable (with a view to scaling to export)
We have a lot of momentum to build on and we look forward to continuing to work with you. If you would like to support the work that we are doing please consider joining as a Friend, Member or Sponsor.
