The Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne launched the 2019 progress report of Australia’s International Cyber Engagement Strategy. In her address to the Lowy Institute in Sydney in March, the Minister provided a stocktake of Australia’s international cyber engagement since 2017 and outlined future plans, including announcing a further $10 million commitment to the Cyber Cooperation Program, increasing total investment in … Continue reading Australia’s international 2019 cyber strategy launched →

Swinburne’s new neuroimaging facility is being set up to take part in the next big wave in data-driven insight. Professor Tom Johnstone, former director of Neuroimaging at the University of Reading in the UK, moved to Australia to become the director of the new $40 million facility in July 2018. He said the advance of … Continue reading Swinburne establishes new neuroimaging facility →

Australian made products have been highlighted at an expo to encourage people to seek out local manufacturers and businesses. Products featuring the Australian Made logo could be seen across Sydney Build 2019 on March 14-15. An Australian-made Mack truck specially coloured green and gold, was one of the products on display in the Hordern Pavilion. … Continue reading Australian manufacturers highlighted at Sydney Build expo →

Four NSW universities have joined forces to establish the Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA). The SQA allows students, academics and industry to collaborate on quantum research and help train the next generation of engineers and scientists in quantum computing. The Academy is the initiative of University of Technology Sydney (UTS), University of Sydney, University of NSW … Continue reading New academy increases quantum research in Sydney →

RMIT and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) at the University of Sheffield have entered into a partnership that will see research collaboration and expertise exchange across advanced manufacturing and engineering. The two universities will jointly undertake industry-driven research that is relevant to a range of problems in advanced manufacturing. RMIT vice-chancellor and president Martin … Continue reading Universities join forces in advanced manufacturing →

With collaboration being one of the leading drivers for the 4th industrial revolution and IIoT, the purpose of Open IIoT’s live demo system at AUSPACK 2019 is to emulate exactly this. Beyond human interaction, collaboration now reaches across all automation components – at the very edge of the production system. Through the physical layer, we … Continue reading Open IIoT’s panel will bring demo system to life at AUSPACK →

The Australian Army has partnered with the Defence Innovation Hub in awarding a contract to SYPAQ to develop and demonstrate a next generation battlefield logistics small unmanned aerial system (UAS). The Precision Payload Delivery System (PPDS) will be used by Australian soldiers. Minister for Defence Industry, Linda Reynolds, said SYPAQ is stepping up to answer … Continue reading Next generation battlefield logistics small UAS coming to Australia →

Australia has joined six other nations in signing an international treaty committing to the construction of the world’s largest science facility – the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The Convention, signed by Australia, China, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa and the United Kingdom, will establish the SKA Observatory. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen … Continue reading Australia joins six countries in creating world’s largest science facility →

CSIRO’s Data61 has opened a new Robotics Innovation Centre in Queensland for an industry set to be worth $23 billion by 2025. The purpose-built research facility for robotics and autonomous systems opened in mid-March. CSIRO’s Data61 specialises in capabilities ranging from legged robots and 3D mapping through to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground … Continue reading CSIRO to push Industry 4.0 to new heights with robotics centre →

A Melbourne export hub will help small and medium businesses better access international markets. Wantirna’s Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited will receive $1.5 million from the federal government’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Export Hubs Initiative. Export hubs are business networks that help small and medium businesses harness opportunities in international markets, particularly where the … Continue reading Export hub gives SMEs better access to international market →

Young Australians are keen on pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and careers, and these skills are seen as important to get a good job, according to a new national survey. These were among the key findings of a survey of 2000 people aged between 12 to 25 and their attitudes to STEM. … Continue reading Young Australians getting behind STEM career paths →

The Australian Space Agency and ACT government have set a trajectory to further drive the growth of Australia’s space sector with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU, signed on March 12, will establish a framework of cooperation in the development of space related industries as the Australian Space Agency looks to … Continue reading Boost in Australia’s space sector to grow manufacturing industry →

Swinburne researchers are examining how robotic surgical systems could extend the career-span of surgeons. In a collaboration with the Valley Private Hospital and Device Technologies, a multidisciplinary team led by Dr Mats Isaksson will compare the biomechanics of a surgeon operating with a Da Vinci Skills Simulator to that of a traditional laparoscopic surgical procedure. … Continue reading Swinburne investigates how robot surgical systems could extend surgeons’ careers →

Businesses researching and developing new technologies, products and services are able to apply for grants through the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Projects fund. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, recently opened the 7th CRC grants selection round. This round includes $20 million in funding to support industry-led collaborations developing important technological projects that deliver … Continue reading Projects grants towards industry-led collaborations now open →

Distributors fulfil an essential role in the business ecosystem and rely on comprehensive data to make the right decisions, according to Epicor Software Corporation. However, Australian distributors face disruption from large online players like Amazon and will need to respond quickly to changing customer demands. Epicor stated that unfortunately, many distributors may be making decisions … Continue reading Focusing on analytics to help distribution centres succeed →

Manufacturing in Western Australia has been closely linked to the mining, oil and gas, and agriculture sectors. The demand for technology-intensive products from these sectors has long facilitated the advancement of capabilities in research and development, technical and business services, and education and training. However, the manufacturing industry in WA is growing and diversifying, ensuring … Continue reading AMGC connects with ever-growing Western Australia membership base →

Australia could become a major global supplier of minerals critical to 21st century technologies, according to Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan. The Critical Minerals in Australia: A Review of Opportunities and Research Needs report was released in early March. Upon the release, Canavan said Australia was well placed to produce significant extra … Continue reading Australia well placed to profit from critical minerals exports →

Swinburne is conducting research that will investigate how virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) could be used to treat chronic pain. In collaboration with the university’s health partner, Medibank, a team of Swinburne researchers will examine how people experiencing chronic lower back pain interact with VR in Swinburne’s Virtual Reality Theatre. Department chair of … Continue reading Research examines how virtual reality can treat chronic pain →