Trusted autonomous systems developed for Defence
The first Defence Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) has been launched by the federal government.
This program is designed to bring together academia and industry to work on trusted autonomous systems for Defence, especially unmanned platforms that ensure reliable and effective cooperation between people and machines during dynamic military operations.
“Existing autonomous and robotic systems that operate in the manufacturing and mining sector are effective in controlled environments but not suitable for the uncertain situations in which Defence operates,” said Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne.
“To be effective, Defence needs autonomous systems to be highly trusted, robust and resilient and this initiative will bring together the best researchers from industry and universities to develop the intelligent military platforms of the future.”
The CRC for Trusted Autonomous Systems will receive annual funding of $8 million, with a maximum of $50 million over a seven-year period.
“I am also pleased to announce that the CRC will be chaired by Mr Jim McDowell, an esteemed businessman who has had an extensive career in the defence industry and most recently at the University of South Australia,” said Pyne.
“As chair, Mr McDowell will be responsible for leading the development of the research program and business plan and work with industry on transitioning the research results into capability outcomes.”
This is the first of several CRCs that the government is announcing, with further CRCs will be established in the near future on projects also aligned with the priorities in the Next Generation Technologies Fund.
Defence will be a member of each CRC along with universities, research agencies and industry. Participating members will be selected on the basis of their research excellence and technology expertise.
The CRC is an initiative of the Next Generation Technologies Fund, which complements the Defence Innovation Hub.
For more information, visit www.business.gov.au/cdic.
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