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An innovator in artificial intelligence (AI) for robotic and navigation technologies has unveiled a cutting-edge AI robotics facility for autonomous systems situated at UTS Tech Lab. Located in Botany, New South Wales (NSW), this facility is designed to expand the production of the company’s groundbreaking navigation systems for GPS-denied environments, including its digital fibre-optic gyroscope (DFOG) technology.
The company holds a unique position globally, being one of only four companies capable of manufacturing strategic-grade fibre-optic gyroscopes. This technology plays a pivotal role in enabling dependable navigation for a wide range of applications, spanning marine vessels, space missions, aerospace, defence, autonomous vehicles, and flying taxis. The company leverages its distinctive AI-based physics algorithms to address intricate challenges both on Earth and in space.
This state-of-the-art robotics facility for autonomous systems signifies a significant transformation in sovereign manufacturing, driven by advanced technologies such as AI, automation, and precision engineering. In the realm of autonomous systems, precision and reliability are paramount, and the facility, following a vertical integration model, is equipped with machinery and processes for automated manufacturing supported by machine learning. This guarantees the consistent production of reliable, resilient, and high-quality navigation systems.
Moreover, the company’s initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to cultivating a diverse STEM workforce, as it is poised to stimulate job growth in areas such as robotics, manufacturing, photonics, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, and related fields.
Additionally, the facility will serve as a hub for extensive research collaborations between the company and UTS Tech Lab. This collaboration is set to expedite the commercialisation of various socially impactful technologies, including:
- The LiDAV system, which offers precise three-dimensional velocity and altitude information for lunar exploration, enhancing autonomous landing procedures and exploration on the moon.
- Cloud Ground Control, a groundbreaking cloud-based solution enabling remote command and control of uncrewed vehicles across air, land, and sea, facilitating real-time monitoring and data management for applications in search and rescue, emergency response, and disaster relief.
- An indoor positioning technology developed by the company to assist visually impaired individuals in navigating safely within underground train stations, as part of the NSW Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) program.
According to Xavier Orr, Co-founder and CEO of Advanced Navigation, there exists a pressing necessity to enhance Australia’s economic complexity and sovereign capabilities. He emphasises the importance of bolstering industrial capacity in high-tech sectors, promoting knowledge exchange, and fostering collaborative efforts among government agencies, academic institutions, and industry leaders.
The Co-founder and CEO of the company underscored the innovator’s mission to commercialise technologies that can tackle significant global challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor and President of UTS conveyed UTS’s enthusiasm for collaborating with the company to explore crucial growth areas such as AI, robotics, and space technologies. He emphasised the collaborative effort between UTS’s esteemed global research leaders in autonomous systems technology and Advanced Navigation’s proficient team of scientists and engineers.
The use of UTS Tech Lab’s advanced facilities and their joint commitment to enhancing sovereign capabilities for defence and space were also highlighted. He looks forward to expanding collective capabilities with the company to accelerate the development of impactful innovations.
The collaboration aligns closely with the goals of the Australian government to enhance the nation’s economic resilience and sovereign capabilities. By focusing on high-tech industrial capacity, knowledge exchange, and collaborative initiatives, the partnership contributes to building a robust foundation for innovation and self-reliance. It strengthens Australia’s position in critical sectors like AI, robotics, and space technologies, which are pivotal for national security and economic growth. This aligns with the government’s strategy to invest in advanced technology sectors and cultivate a skilled workforce, ultimately fostering economic complexity and ensuring Australia’s competitiveness on the global stage.
OpenGov Asia reported that Western Sydney University entered into a collaborative partnership with an automation company and an Australian non-profit organisation dedicated to robotics. This agreement aims to foster innovation, facilitate joint research endeavours, and promote collaboration in line with their shared regional vision for western Sydney.