Supervised autonomy for AUVs using limited bandwidth communication channels. This project aims to improve the feedback link between robotic platforms and an operator, to increase the effectiveness of underwater survey operations. During surveys, some level of adaptation is required to allow underwater robots to respond to the data they are collecting. It is often difficult to reliably program an autonomous system to identify salient data, particularly when the mission involves searching for part ....Supervised autonomy for AUVs using limited bandwidth communication channels. This project aims to improve the feedback link between robotic platforms and an operator, to increase the effectiveness of underwater survey operations. During surveys, some level of adaptation is required to allow underwater robots to respond to the data they are collecting. It is often difficult to reliably program an autonomous system to identify salient data, particularly when the mission involves searching for particular features whose sensor signatures may be difficult to determine a priori. In contrast, humans are generally good at quickly identifying important data or determining when a mission is not achieving its goals. The project aims to develop novel acoustic communication schemes that will allow communication between the human operator and the underwater robot, exploiting developments in machine learning, network and communication theory.Read moreRead less
Efficient Strategies for Coordinating Autonomous Vehicles for Maximising Australia's Waterfront Productivity. This project will lift the productivity of container terminals by enabling the effective deployment of autonomous vehicles in large numbers. The project outcomes of practically deployable and scalable algorithms, realised as live software, will significantly enhance Patrick Stevedores Holdings' world leading technology and the potential of such automation systems to revolutionise materia ....Efficient Strategies for Coordinating Autonomous Vehicles for Maximising Australia's Waterfront Productivity. This project will lift the productivity of container terminals by enabling the effective deployment of autonomous vehicles in large numbers. The project outcomes of practically deployable and scalable algorithms, realised as live software, will significantly enhance Patrick Stevedores Holdings' world leading technology and the potential of such automation systems to revolutionise material handling around the globe. Beyond the benefits of technology commercialisation, the project will also benefit Australia economically through extending its leading role in developing autonomous systems for material handling, enhancing the frontier technologies for building Australian industries, and alleviating looming capacity constraints.Read moreRead less
Use of CT Scanned Data in automation of Carcass Processing. Meat production is important to the Australian economy. The industry is threatened by inability to obtain sufficient labor for meat processing. Automation represents a potential solution, but brings challenges. Piecemeal automation has produced haphazard interspersing of automated and manual workstations. In meat processing automation, the greatest benefits are obtained when the process is integrated and data is passed down the process ....Use of CT Scanned Data in automation of Carcass Processing. Meat production is important to the Australian economy. The industry is threatened by inability to obtain sufficient labor for meat processing. Automation represents a potential solution, but brings challenges. Piecemeal automation has produced haphazard interspersing of automated and manual workstations. In meat processing automation, the greatest benefits are obtained when the process is integrated and data is passed down the process line. The outcomes of this project, a practically deployable robotic system, enabling methodologies and a common database, represent a big step towards integrated meat processing and bring enormous economic and health benefits to Australian community.Read moreRead less
A Robotic System for Steel Bridge Maintenance. This research will bring enormous benefits to Australian community by significantly reducing the environmental impact of civil infrastructure maintenance operations, and improving the working conditions of maintenance workers by minimising their exposure to dust containing hazardous materials. Bridges are a key link that supports rural communities. Besides the 426 steel road bridges in NSW, many hundreds steel road/rail bridges and other steel infra ....A Robotic System for Steel Bridge Maintenance. This research will bring enormous benefits to Australian community by significantly reducing the environmental impact of civil infrastructure maintenance operations, and improving the working conditions of maintenance workers by minimising their exposure to dust containing hazardous materials. Bridges are a key link that supports rural communities. Besides the 426 steel road bridges in NSW, many hundreds steel road/rail bridges and other steel infrastructure in Australia need regular paint stripping and repainting. Australia will gain significant economic and health benefits from commercialising the advanced technologies developed by this project, and become a world leader in developing autonomous systems for infrastructure maintenance.Read moreRead less
Comfort and ergonomics: Innovative seating solutions for commercial vehicles. Comfort and ergonomics: Innovative seating solutions for commercial vehicles. This project aims to develop a 6-degree-of-freedom seating system for commercial vehicles, including heavy duty trucks and mobile machinery, to reduce unwanted multiple directional vibrations to the driver’s body. Long-term exposure to vibrations from uneven road surfaces, vibrating tools, and vibrating machinery affects driver comfort, fatig ....Comfort and ergonomics: Innovative seating solutions for commercial vehicles. Comfort and ergonomics: Innovative seating solutions for commercial vehicles. This project aims to develop a 6-degree-of-freedom seating system for commercial vehicles, including heavy duty trucks and mobile machinery, to reduce unwanted multiple directional vibrations to the driver’s body. Long-term exposure to vibrations from uneven road surfaces, vibrating tools, and vibrating machinery affects driver comfort, fatigue and safety, and can also cause neck and shoulder pain, lower back injuries, and spinal injuries. The expected outcome of the project is a comfortable and ergonomic seating system that, agriculture, transportation, mining and construction vehicles, both in Australia and internationally, can widely use.Read moreRead less