Brisbane, which has earnt a reputation as a global technology hub, will stage a pop-up tech exhibition including life-size robots and large-scale drones next week.

Tech.NXT, a free community event, will also feature virtual reality displays, holograms, 3D printing and latest medical technology.

To be held at South Bank from next Tuesday, Tech.NXT is a roving, six-week exhibit of technologies at the forefront of industries including retail, arts and culture, education, science, automotive and military.

Visitors to the 700 sqm exhibition next to South Bank Station and Little Big House can: 

• Snap a selfie with a world-leading humanoid robot, Pepper, developed by Softbank Robotics and used by QUT bluebox to create several ground-breaking innovations 
• See vital community-driven and health technologies, like Cystic Fibrosis Australia’s and EV Leap’s virtual reality trampoline experience. It’s a unique way to educate the community about treatments for cystic fibrosis – which includes trampoline jumping
• Experience the future of education and cultural sharing with virtual reality – including a beautiful, spine-tingling, indigenous Polynesian elders storytelling virtual reality experience carefully created by ManyIslandz and EV Leap
• Hop in a car decked out with virtual reality
• Interact with large-scale drones used by military 
• Experience holograms used in retail, events and marketing by 18-year-old Brisbane entrepreneur, Scott Millar, founder of Bop Industries 
• See innovations by students from Griffith University’s School of Arts Film School and School of Design

Tech.NXT’s is coordinated by EV Leap, in partnership with collaborators Flight Centre, Anthony John Group (Emporium Hotel), Knight Frank, Griffith Uni School of Arts Film School and School of Design, Konica Minolta, Illuminated Industries and SoftBank.

Tech.NXT’s launch coincides with the 30^th anniversary of Brisbane Expo 88, which put Brisbane on the map with its Leisure in the Age of Technology exhibition. 

EV Leap CEO David Burkett says Tech.NXT enables visitors to experience Brisbane’s well-earned reputation as a hot spot for tech innovation.

“Queensland’s overtaken Victoria in the number of tech start-ups. We’re the second largest start-up hub in Australia,” he said.

Recapturing the spirit of Expo 88

“Tech.NXT is about celebrating our thriving entrepreneur, start-up and tech innovation scene – and enabling everyone to experience these groundbreaking technologies, first-hand.

“It’s about showcasing emerging technologies with start-ups, scale-ups and some of the most innovative companies in Australia, recapturing the spirit of Expo 88.”

QUT bluebox Chief Entrepreneur in Residence Dr Tim Mactaggart will help launch the event at its VIP night next Tuesday.

“For many, the tech industry can feel foreign, threatening or overwhelming,” Mactaggart said. “But the more accessible we make it to the community, the more we help everyone benefit from the incredible opportunities it will bring to individuals, workplaces, and our economy.”

Networking and sharing ideas

“We have an incredible opportunity to be a part of shaping the technologies set to define our future. Through events like Tech.NXT, we’re making it more available, showing people the future is here, on our doorstep, and we can all be part of it.”

During the six-weeks, entrepreneurs, innovators and tech influencers are invited to use the space as a way to share their ideas and products with the public, while working alongside like-minded innovators.

Entrepreneurs keen to take part can contact EV Leap at: www.evleap.com.

The exhibition is also seeking funding to become a permanent fixture in Southbank, helping to cement Brisbane’s reputation as a city at the cutting edge of innovation and technology.

For more information and to register visit www.evleap.com