Robotics Strategy aims to help Aus manufacturing industry

According to the Minister for Industry and Science, The Hon Ed Husic MP, around the world, countries are investing in revitalising their manufacturing base. Despite recent improvements, over the last 15 years Australia’s manufacturing industry has shrunk more than any other sector in our economy. To combat this, Husic sees robotics and automation as critical to building a ‘Future Made in Australia’.

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) welcomes the National Robotics Strategy, which recognises Australia’s strengths in research and development (R&D) and outlines a plan for a strong and coordinated robotics industry that could deliver economic gains.

The strategy incorporates improvements to the draft framework, including recommendations suggested by ATSE in the consultation process.

ATSE CEO Kylie Walker said, “The success of the strategy depends on the availability of a highly trained workforce of STEM professionals and particularly engineers.

“As put forward in ATSE’s submission, building a robotics workforce is critical and recruitment should include diverse and underrepresented groups identified through the government’s Diversity in STEM review.”

ATSE is pleased to see that the strategy acknowledges and builds on the work of the Robotics Australia Group, chaired by ATSE Fellow and Strategy advisory group member Sue Keay FTSE, in developing industry roadmaps.

With a consolidated strategy to guide the development of the robotics industry, ATSE hopes to see new funding, including for R&D, to enable Australia to realise the industry’s productivity benefits.

Image credit: www.iStock.com/Ivan Zhaborovskiy