The International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) which ended in Brisbane last week has firmly cemented Australia’s place as a world innovator in robotics research and development.

The conference, hosted by IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, is a premier international forum for robotics researchers to present their work.

More than 2,500 participants from 60 countries descended on Brisbane for this year’s event.

For the first time in the event’s 24-year history, the five-day conference was held in the Southern Hemisphere – a major coup for Brisbane and Australia’s robotic community.

Experts in the field of robotics and automation had an opportunity to network through a series of informative presentations, discussions and workshops.

Attendees learned how robots will play a key role in the future in not only manufacturing, but also areas such as healthcare, aged care, hospitality, defence, mining, agriculture and food & beverage.

Seeing real results

“This is really pushing the frontiers of science and technology and we can actually see the real results,” said conference organiser Dr Alex Zelinsky.

ICRA 2018 also featured the DJI RoboMaster AI Challenge, sponsored by NVIDIA, in which robots drive and launch projectiles using AI technologies.

Each team was required to build up to two autonomous robots to compete in an obstacle-filled arena.

The event attracts engineers and robot enthusiasts from top international universities.

ICRA gave Australia’s brightest minds an opportunity to reveal their latest ground-breaking research and display the latest robotics and automation technology.

Social robotics workshop

A highlight of the conference was a full-day social robotics workshop hosted by the Centre.

The workshop featured three of the world’s leading female robotics researchers – all of whom are based in Brisbane.

Professor Mary-Anne Williams from The Magic Lab at UTS, Professor Elizabeth Croft, Dean of Engineering from Monash University, and Dr Sue Keay, the Chief Operating Officer at the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision.

The researchers explored the future of social robotics and the challenges that lie ahead.

Also, the QLD government took the opportunity to announce the establishment of an Australian Defence Force research centre in Brisbane – the first of its kind in the country.

The Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence CRC will research, develop and deliver world-leading trusted autonomous defence technology.

Boost for local economy

University of Queensland's head of information technology and electrical engineering Michael Bruenig says the new facility will extend robotic research into new areas.

Brisbane is fast establishing itself as the Australian centre for robotics research with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) University of Queensland (UQ) and the CSIRO based there.

Professor Bruenig says the conference is expected to inject $7 million into the Brisbane economy.

And it’s also put Brisbane firmly on the robotics world map – an honour it richly deserves.