Australia’s Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic has officially launched “Propel-AIR,” the nation’s first AI and Robotics Sprint.
The initiative is designed to accelerate innovation and empower local startups, researchers, businesses, and entrepreneurs in the fields of AI and robotics, the hub revealed in a media release.
The Propel-AIR program, part of the ARM Hub AI Adopt Centre initiatives, aims to nurture local talent and strengthen Australia’s position as a leader in robotics technology.
Speaking at the ARM Hub event on Thursday, 12 December, Minister Husic emphasised the importance of building skills domestically.
“We need to build more skills and we need to build them here, and so having Propel-AIR and a program like that is why it’s a big deal,” Minister Husic said.
“The biggest thing we can do is make countries look at us and say, ‘What are the Australians doing?’ We make the world’s head turn towards Australia, and you will all make it happen.”
ARM Hub, Australia’s leading industry hub for AI, robotics, and design-for-manufacture, is spearheading the Propel-AIR initiative.
The program’s objective is to fast-track the development of Australian robotics innovations with applications across various industries.
Dr Cori Stewart, CEO of ARM Hub, highlighted the global connections the program aims to foster, particularly with Boston’s renowned tech ecosystem.
“Propel AIR will support us to build a hard-wired connection to the world centre of Hardware Tech in Boston,” said Dr Stewart.
“Boston has borne many high-tech startups such as Boston Dynamics, Markforged, BAE Systems and more, and I look forward to announcing the Australian businesses that we launch and grow together,” Dr Stewart noted.
Applications for Propel-AIR will open in January, with the top ten finalists to be announced in June.
The winning team will travel to Boston’s MassRobotics for a month-long residency, including visits to key companies and institutions within the local tech community.
