National Robotics Strategy Lays a Strong Foundation
The National Robotics Strategy has been created to help strengthen Australia’s robotics ecosystem. A stronger, more unified robotics industry will harness the benefits of robotics and automation across the Australian economy. Developing, manufacturing, and using these technologies will highlight the benefits of using local Australian steel companies, grow the economy, help revive steel fabrication Australia and combat major challenges like climate change, ageing population, geopolitical risks, labour market pressures and the cost of living. The Strategy was developed in consultation with the robotics industry, researchers, state and territory governments and the Australian public. It was guided by an advisory committee of Australian robotics and technology experts.
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) was involved in the consultation process and welcomes the Strategy, which recognises Australia’s strengths in research and development (R&D). It also outlines a plan for a strong and coordinated robotics industry that could deliver significant economic gains. ATSE CEO Kylie Walker said the Strategy gets the foundations right by modernising definitions which enable a shared understanding of technical terminology and emphasises that growing a skilled and diverse workforce are critical to a thriving Australian robotics capability. “The success of the Strategy depends on the availability of a highly trained workforce of STEM professionals and particularly engineers in niche areas such as pipe fabrication,” she said. “As put forward in ATSE’s submission, building a robotics workforce is critical and recruitment should include diverse and underrepresented groups identified through the Government’s Diversity in STEM review,” said Walker.
Robotics R&D are highlighted as a strength of the Australian industry. The Strategy provides the case study of Finisar optical switching technology, which is core to global internet traffic. It was developed in part by ATSE Fellows Dr Simon Poole and Dr Steven Frisken, who were recognised with a Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation in 2018. Importantly, the Strategy emphasises the importance of cybersecurity, which must be at the core of emerging technologies to ensure mission-critical systems and collected data are protected.
ATSE is pleased to see that the Strategy acknowledges and builds upon the work of the Robotics Australia Group, chaired by ATSE Fellow and Strategy advisory group member Sue Keay FTSE, in developing industry roadmaps. With a consolidated Strategy to guide the development of the robotics industry, ATSE hopes to see new funding, including for R&D, to enable Australia to realise the industry’s productivity benefits. “The Strategy’s success indicators outline a clear and achievable vision for bolstering the Australian robotics industry and leveraging smart technologies to bridge skills shortage. Increased robotics R&D expenditure and increased government procurement of Australian-made robotics systems will be central to building on our current robotics opportunities,” Walker said.
