Australia's top scientific body opens new robot research facility

CANBERRA, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Australia's peak scientific body the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) has opened its news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Robotics Innovation Center, a facility that will focus on robotics and autonomous systems.

Data61, the digital innovation arm of the CSIRO, officially opened the 600-square-meter facility on Tuesday.

The news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new facility is home to the biggest motion capture system in the Southern Hemisphere, also featuring a swimming pool to test aquatic robots as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and legged robots.

"Robotics and autonomous systems technologies, underpinned by machine learning and artificial intelligence, will unlock news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new value in all manner of sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare and mining," Adrian Turner, chief executive of Data61, said in a statement on Tuesday.

"By creating a cohesive approach to robotics research and development through closer collaboration, supported by world-class facilities like the Robotics Innovation Centre, we can ensure Australia is well placed to benefit from Industry 4.0 and help to protect and accelerate our nation's ongoing economic success."

The CSIRO's Robotics and Autonomous Systems Group (RASG) employs more than 80 people. It led the formation of the Sixth Wave Alliance, a group of leading robotics research organizations established to enable a high level of collaboration.

"The news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new center expands our research infrastructure to develop highly autonomous robotics systems that can interact safely and seamlessly with humans and other dynamic agents, in challenging indoor and outdoor environments," RASG leader Fred Pauling said.

"Our robots are already being used to safely inspect and create 3D maps of underground mines, monitor biodiversity in the Amazon Rainforest and navigate difficult terrain in emergency situations."