Image: Rio Tinto.
BY ELIZABETH FABRI
AUSTRALIA’S mining sector has an opportunity to cement itself as a world-leader in the robotic space, according to new research by The Australian Centre for Robotic Vision.
Its newly launched Robotics Roadmap revealed mining was already ahead of other sectors, but the path to commercialisation was a key barrier in transitioning robotics from the R&D phase to market-ready product.
Driverless trucks and drones were already deployed across major operations, delivering productivity efficiencies, improved safety, and cost savings.
However, other areas to be unlocked included robots for mining in hazardous and remote geographic areas; using robots to mine on-demand when resources were required; developing independently aware robotic systems to reduce reliance on a control room; 3D printing of mine infrastructure, and more.
The Australian Centre for Robotic Vision chief operating officer Dr Sue Keay said the roadmap was a critical step towards a national strategy to invest in robotic technology.
“With Australia currently ranked as 18th in the world for global automation by the International Federation of Robotics, it’s time we start understanding robots as everyday problem solvers rather than scientific fantasy,” Dr Keay said.
“Australia has a talented pool of robotics leaders and researchers who are working on some incredibly exciting projects.
“We have an opportunity to take a collaborative, multi-sector approach to education, funding and legislation to benefit industries and lead the way in the development of robotic technology that can solve real global challenges.”
After a year-long national consultation process, the centre identified a series of recommendations.
These included tax incentives to help transition high capex technologies to markets in and outside of Australia; encouraging global tech giants to invest in Australia; and equipping all Australians with Industry 4.0 relevant skills through education with the addition of micro-credentials to university programs.
It also called on Government to develop ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks to create certainty for the industry; support infrastructure for robots; appropriate safety standards; form robotics technology clusters; and improve public awareness of robot benefits.
The full report can be found at: www.roboticvision.org.
