NEWS
DRIVING AN AUTONOMOUS, ELECTRIC AND CONNECTED VEHICLE FUTURE The Government is getting behind a Melbourne company specialising in autonomous EVs The Andrews Labor Government is supporting a Melbourne company specialising in autonomous electric vehicles to develop world-first technology that can be configured for multiple uses – driving the future of mobility today. The Government has provided support to Applied EV towards its new $2 million facility in Bayswater North, which will accommodate research and development as well as early vehicle production and is expected to create more than 20 highly skilled jobs over two years. “The future of travel and transport will be autonomous, electric and connected, and Victorian companies are leading the way,” Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, the Honourable Martin Pakula, said.
with different vehicle bodies and configured for a range of uses. Applied EV has developed a sophisticated “plug and play” software and electrical system called the Digital Backbone that powers the Blanc Robot platform. With a range of charging options, the Blanc Robot provides flexible and energy-efficient transport that is safe, low cost and has zero emissions. Blanc Robot is designed to service goods delivery, agriculture, mining and industrial and waste management, as well as passenger transport, and will be trialled by major international industry players this year.
“Innovators like Applied EV are building on expertise gained from traditional manufacturing with advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence to produce revolutionary solutions for now and the future.”
Established in 2015 by executives who built their careers at General Motors Holden and Telstra, Applied EV has grown on the back of strong global demand for its technology and driven by a workforce sourced from Victoria’s extensive talent pool in advanced manufacturing, design and engineering.
The latest vehicle to be produced by Applied EV is Blanc Robot – a sophisticated autonomous-ready electric vehicle platform that can be integrated
“We welcome the support from the Victorian Government, which helps take our Melbournemade mobility solutions to the global market
– offering a product that is cost-effective, adaptable to business needs and good for the environment,” Applied EV Chief Executive, Julian Broadbent, said. Victoria has backed its highly-skilled manufacturing workforce by creating more than 1,000 new job opportunities for automotive sector employees under the Labor Government’s Local Industry Fund for Transition program. The support for Applied EV extends the Government’s investment in the autonomous and electric vehicle industry. The Government partnered with Transdev in 2019 to develop the first locally-built, fully electric bus with body construction and fit-out carried out by Dandenong-based Volgren.
CAPRICORN RISING STARS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
A record breaking 600 plus Capricorn Members nominated their star apprentices Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, Capricorn, says it is delighted to announce the top five Capricorn Rising Stars Apprentice of the Year competition finalists. In a record-breaking response, more than 600 Capricorn Members from across Australia and New Zealand nominated their star apprentices for this prized annual accolade that rewards and recognises the automotive aftermarket industry’s leaders of the future. The top five Capricorn Rising Star Apprentice of the Year competition finalists are: • Ben Brown – CWR Motorsport (NZ) • Adam McDonald – Voltaic Auto Electrical (WA) • Jordon Dodge – Mark Dodge Auto Repairs (QLD) • Paige Scully – Krupic Auto Repairs (VIC) • Thomas Rutzou – Jag and British Prestige Service (VIC) All five have been nominated by their employers for leadership skills beyond their years, along with their outstanding willingness to learn, along with displaying genuine pride and enthusiasm for their
work and future automotive aftermarket career potential. Once again, the talented 2021 Capricorn Rising Stars Apprentice of the Year competition finalists include a diverse range of backgrounds and specialisations, continuing an encouraging trend. After a challenging 2021, it is promising to see such a high calibre of apprentices nominated and an increasing number of young women entering the automotive servicing and repair industry. Given such a broad number of Capricorn Rising Star nominations this year, the judging process to identify the top five finalists proved to be a detailed task for the panel of Rising Star competition judges, headed by Capricorn Automotive Chief Executive Officer, Bradley Gannon. “We are delighted with the record number of nominations that our Members submitted this year,” Bradley said. “Given the industry wide shortage of qualified repairers, it has never been more important that we support and encourage our apprentices - and it is clear that there are many young star performers working in our Members’ workshops.
“The Capricorn Rising Stars Apprentice of the Year competition enables our Members to show their apprentices the bright future that awaits them and to maintain their passion for the industry to forge a long and successful automotive career.” Capricorn conducts this industry renowned Apprentice of the Year competition with the generous support of program sponsors Castrol, Repco and The Workshop Whisperer, who have donated several outstanding prizes for the finalists, their nominating workshops and of course the soon to be announced overall 2021 Capricorn Rising Stars Apprentice of the Year. For more from Capricorn, visit www.capricorn.coop Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine August 2021
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