QUT researcher Distinguished Professor Peter Corke has been elected as a Follow of the Australian Academy of Science in recognition of his ground-breaking work in robotics vision.

Professor Corke, the director of the QUT-based Australian Centre for Robotic Vision has gained global attention for his world-leading achievements in equipping robots with the ability to see.

Another QUT researcher Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik was also elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.

Professor Barner-Kowollik is a macromolecular chemist and Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow Professor.

Both professors are from the QUT Faculty of Science and Engineering.

They are among 22 scientists recognised by the Academy this year for significant and lasting impacts made in their respective fields.

Outstanding track record

Professor Corke’s research has defined and advanced the field of robotic vision. 

Professor Corke has pioneered the practical use of his research in aerial, marine and land robotic systems for a diverse range of applications, including mining and environmental monitoring.

His substantial robotics knowledge has been made widely accessible through popular textbooks, open online courses and the innovative QUT Robot Academy, which recently marked its second anniversary.

In 2017 QUT awarded him the title of Distinguished Professor – only the eighth time in its history it has bestowed the honour on an outstanding academic.

Professor Corke has helped foster robotics education around the globe through the development of the world’s first massive open online courses (MOOCs) on robotics. 

He created two free MOOCs that were offered online for undergraduate engineers and anyone else with a strong interest in robotics.

His remarkable achievements in research have led to an exceptional h-index of 60 and some 20,000 citations.

Academy President Professor John Shine said what stands out among all the new Fellows this year is “the collective impact of their science on an international scale”. 

Professor Barner-Kowollik is a world-leading soft matter nanotechnologist, working on complex polymer reactions and harnessing the power of light to control and program the shape of materials.

His pioneering work includes the precision use of light for soft matter material design with applications ranging from dental to lightweight materials, the development of new generations of photoresists for 3D laser lithography as well as advanced polymer analytical protocols based on mass spectrometry.

Professor Corke and Professor Barner-Kowollik said they were honoured to be named Academy Fellows.

“It is amazing to be asked to part of such a celebrated Academy,” Professor Corke said.

“I’ve done a lot of work in the area of developing robotic hand-eye coordination and it is exciting to be able to put a capability into a robot that no one else has, but advancing robotics to build machines that are as capable and competent as we want them to be is very much a global effort.

“There are people around the world working on all aspects of the robot system simultaneously, on hands, on fingertips and tactile perception, on legs and feet.

“To be part of this group building a body of work and knowledge is incredibly rewarding.”

Ensuring Australia remains a leading nation in science

Professor Barner-Kowollik, who chose to study chemistry at university ahead of his other love, history, said as an Academy Fellow he felt an obligation to “increase our efforts to ensure Australia remains a leading nation in science”.

“It is humbling and an honour to be among the most outstanding scientists of the nation,” he said.

“In science, when you make a discovery you usually stand on the shoulders of giants. You build on what has been achieved over the past 100 years and add your own steps towards understanding nature and making the world a better place.

“It is very satisfying when you pioneer something new and make discoveries that impact people’s lives, but working in a team of inspiring scientists is what is truly rewarding.”

The Australian Academy of Science provides independent, authoritative and influential scientific advice, promotes international scientific engagement, builds public awareness and understanding of science, and champions, celebrates and supports excellence in Australian science.

The new Academy Fellows were formally admitted at a ceremony at the Science at the Shine Dome 2019 symposium in Canberra yesterday. 

They will present their work in seminars today.