Lockheed Martin forms machine learning partnership

Lockheed Martin has joined forces with the University of Adelaide to deliver world-leading machine learning research.

The organisation will become the first Foundation Partner with the university’s new Australian Institute for Machine Learning.

This strategic partnership will deliver machine learning research for national security, the space industry, business and the broader community.

Machine learning is a form of artificial intelligence that enables computers and machines to learn how to do complex tasks without being programmed by humans. This technology is driving what is known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The university’s new Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) — which builds on decades of expertise in artificial intelligence and computer vision — will be based in the South Australian Government’s new innovation precinct at Lot Fourteen (the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site).

As Foundation Partner, Lockheed Martin Australia will move a team of researchers from Lockheed Martin’s STELaRLab (Science Technology Engineering Leadership and Research Laboratory) in Melbourne to be co-located with AIML researchers in Adelaide, and will support honours, doctoral and postdoctoral R&D programs.

The team will work with University of Adelaide researchers and students at AIML on leading-edge technology, advancing the capabilities needed to meet complex and dynamic challenges in the areas of national security — including next-generation machine reasoning for automated information processing and decision support — and advanced algorithm development for air, sea, land, cyber and space systems.

The partnership, which is initially for a period of three years, will also provide Adelaide researchers with access to Lockheed Martin’s global research and development network.

“Lockheed Martin Australia strives to be the partner of choice as an industry leader in defence and technology. Our partnership with the University of Adelaide to develop world-leading machine learning technologies for Australia is a most worthwhile investment in our future and sovereign defence capabilities,” said Lockheed Martin Australia Chief Executive Vince Di Pietro.

The University of Adelaide’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Rathjen, said: “Our new partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia is a perfect example of how the university can bring together outstanding research expertise, unique facilities, students and an international reputation to attract global industry to Adelaide.

“We’re excited that the university, in partnership with industry and government, will play a key role in the new Lot Fourteen site, helping to drive innovation and underpinning the transformation of the South Australian economy. From this will flow new ideas and the industries of the future, producing a thriving innovation ecosystem in the heart of our vibrant city.”

Dr Keoki Jackson, Lockheed Martin’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “Lockheed Martin invests in partnerships with Australia’s research and defence industry communities to develop discriminating technologies, provide export opportunities through our global supply chains and create innovation, Australian skilled jobs and sustainable business growth.

“Our commitment to R&D in Australia demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s enduring intent to drive growth and prosperity, and to play our part in positioning Australia as a leading and dynamic 21st-century economy.”

Professor Anton van den Hengel, Director of the university’s Australian Institute for Machine Learning, said: “Artificial intelligence is expected to transform the global economy within the next decade. Our aim is to strengthen Adelaide’s position as a global destination for high-tech research and development, and ensure that South Australia is well prepared to reap the significant benefits this technology offers.”

The university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Mike Brooks, said the Australian Institute for Machine Learning was well placed to work closely with a range of industry leaders.

“Our partnership with Lockheed Martin demonstrates a deep level of engagement between the university and industries that are critical to South Australia’s future. This is particularly evident in national security, but will be felt more broadly, with technological advancements finding application in other industrial sectors. Such innovation is expected to be catalysed by the federal government’s once-in-a-lifetime investment in defence and related industries here in South Australia,” Professor Brooks said.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/alphaspirit

Please follow us and share on Twitter and Facebook. You can also subscribe for FREE to our weekly newsletter and quarterly magazine.