The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub (ARM Hub) is inviting industry feedback on the ideas it proposed in the National Robotics Strategy Discussion Paper, which is set to explore the opportunities and challenges for Australian industries adopting robotics and automation.
The not-for-profit company said this aspect of the proposal encourages the leveraging of Australia’s existing industrial innovation facilities.
Dr Cori Stewart, founder and CEO of ARM Hub, underscored two critical goals, including making Australia an advanced industrial nation using robotics and automation advantage as well as delivering value for money.
She said that by using Australia’s existing manufacturing and robotics capability, the nation can rapidly enable “new-to-the world” robotics technology products and services.
Australia can also create new high-value global companies and roll out technology adoption initiatives across the country’s manufacturing industrial base.
“Australia’s small population and remote location may prevent us from developing depth across a wide range of advanced manufacturing industries, such as we see in Japan or Germany. However, we can command our global share,” the ARM Hub official said.
Furthermore, Dr Stewart pointed out that success in this will result in a stronger economy, fewer supply chain vulnerabilities, and a more robust and sophisticated industrial base.
To achieve sustainable short- and long-term outcomes, Dr Stewart emphasised the National Robotics Strategy must invest wisely in building Australia’s sovereign robotics capabilities.
For one, she said that Australia needs to use the expertise of existing centres, access world-class robotics and manufacturing facilities and equipment, and utilise the close relationships that the centres have.
“We can think big or resort to strategically threading the needle with a pipeline of ‘unicorn’ robotics companies at risk of going offshore because of a lack of investment in Australia’s digital transformation,” Dr Stewart remarked.
She concluded by saying the nation must stand on the shoulders of previous industry-backed government investment in the form of existing high-quality assets and teams, and leverage the national trusted robotics partnerships that are already flourishing.
Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said the discussion paper, which was launched last month, will help spark a conversation on growing the production and responsible use of robotics in Australia.
