28 minute read
INDUSTRY NEWS: Current news from the Industry
from AMT AUG/SEP 2022
by AMTIL
Aussie Quantum IC
In a world-first, Australian quantum computing manufacturer, Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC), has announced they have developed a quantum computing chip that integrates all the necessary components found on a classical computer chip but at the atomic scale, making up a functional quantum processor. Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic, who was on the Kensington campus for the announcement of a significant technical breakthrough by UNSW Professor Michelle Simmons and the team at Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC), said the latest development is evidence of Australia’s superiority in the space. “I want to tell you how much what you do means to the country,” said Mr Husic, referring to the SQC team gathered at the event. “You are contributing over a long period of time to something that is a big deal not just for the country, but for the world.” Mr Husic acknowledged the work of Prof. Simmons and the SQC researchers who announced the development of the world’s first integrated circuit manufactured at the atomic scale. “Our quantum capabilities are clearly world-leading and building on the proud history of research excellence,” Mr Husic said. “It is a clear sign that our companies, our entrepreneurs and our researchers are some of the world’s best.” Keeping quantum research in Australia
Mr Husic also highlighted the government’s commitment to keeping talent in Australia. The government has announced an investment of $1bn in the form of a Critical Technology Fund as part of the broader National Reconstruction Fund. This will help to support home-grown innovation and production in areas like engineering, data science, software development, AI, robotics, and quantum. To ensure the continuous growth and supercharge the quantum computing industry, the government is providing $4m for up to 20 PhDs in quantum research to support universities as they establish national research and education partnerships. “I want the world to know what you are doing, and I want to fight every single day to stop anyone leaving this country that’s involved in quantum,” Mr Husic said. “I want the world to come here, instead of us going there.” Mr Husic pointed to a range of statistics that show Australia punches well above its weight when it comes quantum research. Australia accounts for 0.3% of the world’s population, but it accounts for 4.2% of global quantum research. Quantum technology research by Australian researchers is cited 60% more than the global average. Eleven Australian universities rank above the global standard for quantum technology research. Prof. Simmons, founder and director of SQC, described the technical breakthrough as the biggest result of her career. “This has never been done before and nobody else in the world can do it,” Prof Simmons said. “It is a hugely exciting result and what is even more exciting for us is having done that, we have seen that classical roadmap and that we know the commercial devices that are within the next five or six years.” Prof Simmons and researchers from SQC used the integrated processor – known as an analogue quantum processor – to accurately model the quantum states of a small, organic polyacetylene molecule, proving a pathway to creating new materials that have never existed. The advancement is a major step for SQC and its customers to construct quantum models for a range of new materials, from superconductors, materials for batteries, pharmaceuticals, or catalysts. “One of the most promising potential uses of quantum technology is to use one quantum system to simulate other quantum systems. In this work, the authors considered a chain of ten quantum dots and used them to emulate the so-called SSH model,” said Dr. Charles Hill, Senior Lecturer In Quantum Computation at The University of Melbourne. This big step forward has come less than a decade after the team’s 2012 declaration that it had fabricated the world’s first singleatom transistor and has been achieved two years ahead of schedule. “This is a remarkable piece of engineering,” adds Hill. “The quantum devices used for this demonstration were fabricated with sub-nanometre accuracy. This experiment paves the way for larger and more complex quantum systems to be emulated in the future.” “This is history in the making,” said UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs. “Today’s news puts SQC and UNSW researchers even closer to their goal and reinforces this University’s position at the forefront of quantum technology. It is the culmination of many years of hard work and is an exemplar of the power of collaboration.” SQC is a private company formed in 2017 through a joint initiative with the Commonwealth government, UNSW Sydney, Telstra Corporation, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and the NSW government.
sqc.com.au
Record-breaking industrial auction result
Pickles has delivered the largest sale from a single vendor of industrial assets seen by the auction industry since the onset of COVID-19, with the total value of the assets over $22.5m. In what is described as the strongest market for civil construction and earthmoving equipment ever witnessed by the Australian auction industry, the result has been largely driven by the current lack of global supply with large lead times on new equipment, the shortage of parts, used stock availability, and government spending on infrastructure projects. Pickles Finance and Advisory Executive, Aiden Hsu, says the business is witnessing unprecedented returns across the whole used equipment market and that there is no better time than now for businesses and individuals to be selling underutilised or aging assets. “Pickles has facilitated the retirement of an increasing number of generational businesses using our auction platform. The strength of the used equipment market is continually proving that the ‘sum of the parts is greater than the value of the business’ with assets yielding a greater return sold piecemeal at auction as opposed to the sale of a business as a going concern,” says Hsu. In this recent auction, under instruction from Wordament the liquidators of the Norris Group, Pickles sold over a thousand assets. These ranged from civil construction, transport, and waste recycling equipment to drones and light commercial vehicles, with many assets selling more than new prices. “With an increasing number of tunnel, road, and rail projects – not to mention continuous flood repair work in Queensland and Northern NSW – there is demand for assets like Motor Graders, Skid Steers, and On-Highway Tippers and Dogs. And when a business wins a tender, they need these assets immediately in order to fulfil the engagement. “The simple fact is, Australia is in the midst of a national asset shortage. There are severe shortages of late model/lowhoured equipment in the marketplace, which is driving prices sky high. In several instances, we secured sales over 130% of the asset’s original price for some of the used assets in the Norris Group Liquidation Auction,” says Hsu. “Pickles Advisory plays a critical role in providing tailored asset realisation strategies to ensure an Insolvency Practitioner’s duties are met by providing the optimal return to creditors. We understand each appointment is unique and the importance of working with our clients to ensure the right solution is delivered. “Many Australian companies have opportunistically offloaded their fleet to unlock equity given the market’s optimal conditions,” Hsu adds.
pickles.com.au
ipLaser automated quotation system
Young laser guns fire up interest in time-saving quoting automation at Australian Manufacturing Week.
A company bringing laser and plasma cutting quotation automation to Australia and globally has drawn strong interest at Australian Manufacturing Week as the industry feels the bite of labour shortages. ipCompute, which includes ipLaser and Tempus Tools, spoke with industry professionals, who were typically taking 15 to 30 minutes to produce a quote, depending on the complexity of the job, and the quality of the drawings provided by the customer. With ipCompute’s latest ToolBox quoting automation software suite, each quote can be done as quickly as 90 seconds. “People are usually sceptical that quoting can be done that quickly, but once they have a demo, then they can see the power of the ToolBox software suite. Completing so many more quotes in an hour is particularly useful, given the average win rate of a laser job shop quote is about 30-40%,” says ipCompute Co-Founder and CEO, Ivan Cooper. “Our research shows that you can win an additional 5-10%, without extra costs, by providing the quote within an hour,” he said. Cooper and his ipCompute’s co-founders have a combined 100 years of experience in the laser industry, from operating job shops to designing and installing machines across the globe. They have used this practical, hands-on experience to shape the development of their quoting automation software, to ensure it responds to the real needs of job shops in Australia and around the world. With all this experience behind them, they have brought together highly experienced young code writers to make the most of the latest in technology to build a powerful system. “Another major issue we’re addressing is inconsistent quoting. If three different people in one organisation quote a job, what are the chances there will be three different prices? Using ToolBox, you can configure rules to suit your business needs, and then consistent pricing is delivered each and every time, which helps build customer loyalty,” says Cooper. Skilled labour shortages drive demand for user-friendly software
As ipCompute staff spoke with people at AMW, a clear theme emerged – Australian manufacturers are concerned about labour shortages. “In particular, there’s a shortage of skilled labour at the moment, and many businesses are struggling to secure or retain staff with the right training in CAD/CAM software, ERP/MRP software, estimating, and quoting,” said Cooper. “ToolBox can help these businesses continue to quote jobs, because the software has been designed to be intuitive to pick up and user-friendly for ongoing use. It’s typically all set up in 30 minutes, and ready to start quoting,” he said. ToolBox features a built-in folding calculator and unlimited secondary processes, such as powder coating, tapping, and welding, thereby eliminating the need for solid modelling systems. It opens solid models, flattens them, and calculates the cost of cutting and folding automatically.
iplaser.com
Space Machines Company secures launch services deal with SpaceX
SpaceX is to carry Space Machines' Optimus Orbital Transfer Vehicle as part of its April 2023 mission.
Space Machines Company (SMC), the Australian in-space transportation and logistics startup, has secured the support of SpaceX as a launch partner to carry its Optimus Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) to space as part of its April 2023 mission. SMC's Optimus OTV is one of the largest commercial spacecraft designed and manufactured in Australia. It is a testament to the innovation of Australia's space tech sector and the sovereign capability being built by SMC. The 2023 mission will demonstrate the 270kg Optimus OTV’s ability to deliver in-space logistics services and will reinforce SMC’s strategy as a last-mile delivery services provider. The 2023 mission will also see SMC deploy solutions for foundation customers. The Optimus spacecraft’s assembly and integration will occur at the Space Machines Company facility within the University of Technology Sydney’s (UTS) Tech Lab and will demonstrate Australian sovereign access to space capability. More than 6,000 active and inactive satellites are currently in orbit, and by 2030, there will be more than 100,000. Space will increasingly need infrastructure and logistics services to support and manage the exponential growth in satellites and debris around the globe. SMC's development of a local space logistics capacity is critical to ensuring Australia can meet this growing challenge and manage its satellites in space. "Logistics is the new frontier in space innovation. Space-based technology underpins a lot of the daily conveniences Australians have come to expect such as weather forecasting, emergency management, internet access and online banking. To support and fully commercialise the potential of in-space service delivery, the right logistics infrastructure needs to be in place. Space Machines is leading the development of Australia's capability in this critical area and we are thrilled to be taking the next step in the commercialisation of our service with SpaceX," said Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO of Space Machines Company. Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said the NSW Government applauded Space Machines Company on its continued development and investment in Australian space and satellite technology. “Space Machines is at the forefront of Australia’s space technology and the NSW Government is proud to support its work,” Mr Ayres said. “Having previously supported the company through our Going Global Space to the USA Export Program, and as part of a remote delegation for IAC 2021, Space Machines continues to demonstrate its global value proposition and ability to advance technologies that Australians have the privilege to enjoy every day. “We rely on space and satellite technology to mitigate, manage and respond to natural emergencies, broadcast information, communicate with our loved ones, use the internet and control our finances. This latest mission sounds fascinating and I’ve no doubt that its work will help drive improvements and solutions that put Australia at the forefront of this critical need.” The SpaceX deal follows SMC’s expansion to India, with the opening of new offices in Bangalore to foster technological collaboration between the two countries. The company has also deepened its executive and advisory teams with two key appointments. Mark Ramsey joins Space Machine's executive team as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Mr Ramsey has nearly 20 years of experience in the Space and Defence sectors, including Executive Director and General Manager of SITAEL Australia and executive roles at Lockheed Martin, Thales Alenia Space, BAE Systems and NewSat. He is deputy chair and current director of the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA). In addition, Anthony Kittel founder and CEO of advanced electronics manufacturer, Redarc Electronics, joins SMC as an Advisory Board member. SMC is strengthening its position as a key regional player in the space industry as it looks to capitalise on the Federal Government's $1.16bn commitment to bolster Australia's space industry. Federal initiatives such as the 16-year earth observation national space mission and the new Defence Space Command will deliver new commercial opportunities to the sector, providing space tech startups with additional support to further innovation and collaboration on a global scale. spacemachines.co
Softmed: Hiring of displaced Ukrainians supports war-devastated country
Australia’s largest PPE manufacturer, Softmed, has recently employed 15 displaced individuals who have escaped the war-torn country of Ukraine.
The new employees will be working across different areas of manufacturing within the factory. Softmed has ensured that the workers are assigned to carry out tasks they have previous experience in, whilst giving them the opportunity to up-skill. General Manager Sergiy Tsimidanov says he has personal ties to the shocking events happening in Ukraine. “I am from Donbas in the Southeast of Ukraine; it is upsetting to see my country at war. I want to be able to help in any way I can. We are providing these people with so much more than a job, we are giving them the resources to start their lives again in Australia,” said Tsimidanov. The 15 new employees will be joining an already multicultural workforce of 300-400 staff. Softmed prides itself on its culturally inclusive work environment with 11 different languages being spoken within the facility, including Brazilian, Arabic, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian. Softmed has shown its dedication to supporting the public, first through its efforts to supply crucial PPE gear during the height of the pandemic, to now doing its part to help the people of Ukraine. Tsimidanov says the company wants to help the people of Ukraine by providing employment opportunities that allow them to integrate smoothly into the Australian workforce. The privately owned company was created by two immigrants, so they understand the firsthand struggles new residents to Australia can face when leaving their home country. Softmed cannot wait to support the 15 newest additions to their team settle into their new role and home. softmed.com.au
Big benefits from small scale projects
Scale-ups and start-ups collaborate for rapid prototyping and micro manufacturing project in Mackay.
A new pilot project for the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday (MIW) region will see participating local businesses design and produce their own printed circuit boards, electronics, and sensors in a shared micro manufacturing facility located in Mackay’s CBD. The Rapid Prototyping and Micro Manufacturing Collaborative Pilot project seeks to remove a significant gap in the design and manufacture of small-scale electronic products and pave a pathway for scale-up and start-up businesses to grow and diversify. The project, funded by METS Ignited and Mackay Regional Council, is being facilitated by Split Spaces and Resource Industry Network and adds to the already impressive manufacturing capability and diversification efforts of the MIW region. The collaboration is actively seeking additional partners to join leading industrial IoT company Vayeron in utilising a new robotic Pick and Place machine to produce printed circuit boards, electronics, and sensors in a shared facility at Split Spaces to gauge the viability of a common micro manufacturing facility for the region. The new clean room facility holds a NeoDen pick-and-place machine for circuit board assembly in printed circuit board manufacturing. A robotic placement head picks up electronic surface mounted technology components and places them on a printed circuit board, then a soldering oven reflow station completes the process. With headquarters in Mackay, globally focused technology company Vayeron was the first business to come on board with co-founder and CEO Ryan Norris saying the project boasts many benefits for local METS businesses. “It means we have a local capability to develop new product designs, prototype and manufacture them; not just for our local market but for our international customers,” he said. Split Spaces Community Manager Tegan McBride said the project was a significant milestone for manufacturing capability and diversification of the MIW region and was in line with Australia’s transition to Industry 4.0. “The ability for our region to perform high tech manufacturing, alongside our existing manufacturing sector, shows the potential for our region to service new customers, bigger projects, and boast a more diverse industry base. The success of the pilot project could also provide a solution to certain supply chain issues experienced by SMEs and start-ups in the past couple of years,” Ms McBride said. Resource Industry Network General Manager Dean Kirkwood said the project was an extension of some of the great work already being undertaken by the organisation’s members. “It reinforces the potential that this type of manufacturing has for the region and provides a ready-to-go platform for other businesses to undertake diversification. “The good news is that there are still places available in the project so if you want to investigate this line of manufacturing for your business, get in contact today. “This project encourages a collaborative approach among local businesses, and we look forward to it driving innovation and helping facilitate entry into new markets for our SMEs,” Mr Kirkwood said. Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said council, along with a number of key partners, was proud to support this innovative and cutting-edge project not just for our region, but for Queensland and Australia. “The Rapid Prototyping and Micro Manufacturing Regional Collaboration Pilot Project is a real collaboration between industry, government and business to provide an opportunity to prototype, trial, and manufacture right here in Mackay,” Mayor Williamson said. “The 12-month trial will provide important information about the demand for the project, future viability and will guide the project operations for the future,” he said. METS Ignited CEO Adrian Beer describes these projects as critical enablers for our region. “We have a rich supply of skills and capability embedded in our regions. This project enables our regional capability to expand and scale, which will not only benefit Queensland but our entire economy,” Mr Beer said. The Rapid Prototyping and Micro Manufacturing Collaborative Pilot is part of the METS Ignited Bowen Basin Cluster Program.
greaterwhitsundayalliance.com.au
Using a SIMPLE solution to solve complex manufacturing problems
A tailored approach to developing manufacturing solutions specific to regional communities has been announced.
The University of Southern Queensland will lead the Sustainable Industry Manufacturing Planning for Long-term Ecosystems (SIMPLE) Hub, focused on developing new products and processes to support regional manufacturing priorities such as waste recycling/ upcycling, with the outgoing Federal government announcing the Regional Research Collaboration program funding. $3.35m has been earmarked for the SIMPLE Hub with University of Southern Queensland as project lead and partners Southern Cross University, University of Queensland and West Virginia University, USA. University of Southern Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie welcomed the announcement. “This project builds on our research strengths and industry partnerships focused on regional opportunities to enhance manufacturing in a sustainable way, thereby building capacity both for the University and our region,” Professor Mackenzie said. Project lead Associate Professor Polly Burey said regional Australia faced obstacles and opportunities that needed approaches tailored to non-metropolitan settings. “Manufacturing contributes about 6% of Australia’s GDP, covering a range of industry sectors such as recycling/clean energy, food and beverage, the resource sector and more,” Associate Professor Burey said. “External factors such as COVID-19 and extreme weather events have exposed the vulnerability of national and global supply chains that keep the manufacturing industry moving, including getting products to customers (for example, food on grocery shelves or building supplies for the construction industry). “There is a great deal of work being done in this space, but a tailored approach is needed to develop solutions specific to regional communities and build cross-sector industry ecosystems that support new circular economies.” Associate Professor Burey said the SIMPLE Hub would simplify regional research collaboration in manufacturing by bringing a range of initiatives under one umbrella. “Together with multi-sectoral industries, we can develop new products and processes to support regional manufacturing priorities such as waste recycling/upcycling,” Associate Professor Burey said. “Our current external partners include Oilfield Piping Systems, Darling Downs Health, Jennmar, Impacts, Venlo, Plungie and Australia Sunlight group, and we also have the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and CSIRO on the advisory committee.” Associate Professor Burey said the SIMPLE Hub would also create a workforce pipeline to support the sector, with a focus on training of industry-ready researchers. “Ultimately, we want to train and empower the innovators for regional manufacturing industries into the future,” she said. “From undergraduates to PhD, postdoctoral researchers and beyond, the program researchers will be supported to develop advanced technical research skills and future career strategy. “As part of the strategy we will engage with summer research scholars to work on multi-disciplinary research teams and co-locate with industry partners in implementing their research projects.” The Regional Research Collaboration program funds research collaboration between universities, industry and other higher education providers, improving support for regional areas by strengthening rural research capacity. usq.edu.au
Night-time solar
Manufacturing thermoradiative diode semiconductors to capture photons to generate electricity.
Australian construction tech company PT Blink has continued to deepen its leadership bench with the appointment of renowned digital product pioneer Paul Kouppas as Director of Product Innovation. Kouppas brings to PT Blink more than 20 years’ experience in successfully leading teams to build and launch cloudbased solutions including Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) applications and products spanning wearables, web, mobile and Internet of Things (IoT). It may sound like a contradiction in terms, but Australian researchers have made a major breakthrough in "night-time solar" technology. In what they claim is a world first, a team of researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has demonstrated that solar power can be generated at night. "In a sense, we've only been dealing with half of the opportunity, when we use photovoltaic solar cells to collect sunlight [during the day]," project leader Associate Professor Ned Ekins-Daukes tells ABC RN's Drive. In a new study published in ACS Photonics, the team used a thermoradiative diode (a semiconductor sensor found in existing technologies like night-vision goggles) to capture photons leaving Earth along the infrared spectrum and converted them into electricity. Australia is one of the world's biggest adopters of rooftop solar. Since 2001, the number of customers with solar panels has ballooned to more than 3 million. And in 2021, there was a record uptake of more than 3,000MW of rooftop solar installed by Australian householders. Professor Ekins-Daukes stresses this new "night-time solar" technology is still very much in its early days. "We've just demonstrated that this is possible. Right now, the device we've made is relatively low power. [But] this is to be expected when you're at the very early stages," he says. “I’m excited to be joining such a unique and ambitious technology company as PT Blink with a clear mandate to benefit all stakeholders in the construction process,” says Kouppas. “Combining proprietary software and structural hardware technology enables us to offer a collaborative, end-to-end solution from design to manufacture and integration. I look forward to evolving the platform with the team to enable anyone, anywhere to build faster, safer, better and with less waste.” Kouppas joins PT Blink most recently from leading games engine platform Unity Technology and combines expertise in digital engineering and building information modelling (BIM), real-time 3D experiences in the AEC industry. “Paul Kouppas brings invaluable perspective and capability to our development team at just the right time,” says PT Blink CEO, Ashley Brinson. “He really gets our mission to create a frictionless experience that maximises the benefits of the Blink DMITM methodology for all stakeholders in our ecosystem. ptblink.com
Victorian company to send baby formula to the US after approval.
Australian company Bubs will send more than a million cans of baby formula to the US to help ease a critical shortage.
An Australian baby formula company has sealed a mega deal to send more than a million tins to desperate parents in the United States, with President Joe Biden spruiking the deal on Twitter himself. “I’ve got more good news: 27.5 million bottles of safe infant formula manufactured by Bubs Australia are coming to the United States,” Biden tweeted. Bubs Australia manufactures its baby formula product, including goat’s milk formula, at a Dandenong factory in Melbourne’s southeast. Founder and chief executive Kristy Carr started the business in 2006 from her kitchen table in Sydney’s northern beaches. The company has recently secured approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowing it to export six of its baby formula products to the US to help fill the country’s dwindling shelves. About 500,000 tins are ready to be sent to the US from Bubs Australia’s Dandenong factory, with another 750,000 being produced for export in the coming months. In mid-June, the second aircraft, containing around 85,000 tins of Bubs Infant Formula, under ‘Operation Fly Formula’ will depart Melbourne to Columbus, Ohio. All six Bubs Infant Formula products, plus two Aussie Bubs Toddler Formula products, will be distributed to about 800 Walmart stores in around 20 US states. The FDA recently relaxed some importation rules for infant formula to deal with the shortage. Previously, 98% of the baby formula consumed in the US was made within the country. “We were actually the first infant formula manufacturer in the world to submit our application to the FDA under this new infant formula enforcement discretion policy,” Carr said. “This was a very unique opportunity, a substantial deal and a turning point for Australia.” Carr said Bubs Australia already distributes formula for toddlers in the US, meaning the company had already been through many of the rigorous regulatory processes required to export products to the US. She said it would otherwise have taken up to three years to gain FDA approval. A major US baby formula manufacturing facility in Michigan was closed in February following reports of rare bacterial infections in four infants, worsening a shortage that began with pandemic supplychain issues. “This week, we’re seeing reports of up to 70% of brands out of stock [in the US],” Carr said. “This is something that the Biden administration and the FDA are all taking very, very seriously and are pulling out all measures to be able to rectify the situation very quickly.” The shortage has caused a deep wave of alarm amongst US families. “I think it’s a really important time for an Australian quality food manufacturer that is clean and safe and reliable supply chain to be able to step up and help relieve some of those shortages,” Carr added.
bubsaustralia.com
New flour mill bringing manufacturing jobs to Ballarat
A major investment by one of the largest food manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand is creating a jobs boost in Ballarat, thanks to backing from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula has announced the Labor Government’s support for George Weston Foods’ new Mauri flour mill in Ballarat and production expansion across regional Victoria. The $132.9m investment by George Weston Foods will create 220 jobs in Ballarat – which includes a transfer of 46 jobs from an existing flour mill in North Melbourne. Building the new, state-of-the art flour mill in the Ballarat West Employment Zone will create up to a further 320 jobs during construction. ‘’We’re supporting investments like this because they help strengthen the local supply chain and Victoria’s position as a leader in food manufacturing,” said Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Martin Pakula. “A major company like George Weston Foods choosing to expand in Victoria will drive economic growth in our food manufacturing sector and create new jobs across the state.” George Weston Foods’ new investments across Victoria include a new national Tip Top boutique bakery in Bendigo, relocating its Golden Crumpet manufacturing line from Adelaide to Dandenong, upgrading its Don KRC business in Castlemaine to grow exports and expanding its Yumi’s plant in Hallam to increase production. As well as securing the company’s long-term future in Victoria, the expansion will also support more than 1,300 Victorian businesses and farmers who supply and work with George Weston Foods. “We are excited to be investing in the future of sustainable agriculture and food production in Victoria,” added George Weston Foods Chief Executive, Stuart Grainger. “This new flour mill, together with other investments, enables us to continue to grow our Tip Top, Abbotts, Don and Yumi’s brands whilst also being better able to serve the needs of our Mauri customers.” The company will join many other successful regional food manufacturing businesses in the Ballarat West Employment Zone, including Kookas Country Cookies and Luv-a-duck. George Weston Foods employs 3,000 staff across eight sites in Victoria and is one of the largest private sector employers in the state with half of its workforce employed in regional Victoria. Victoria has the largest and most established food and beverage manufacturing sector in the nation, valued at around $38bn and employing around 72,000 people. development.vic.gov.au
Contactile raises $3m to accelerate development of tactile sensor technology
Technology tackles complexity of human manipulation, enabling robotic dexterity.
Australia-based company Contactile has closed $3m in seed funding to develop and pilot tactile sensors that give robots a human sense of touch and enable robotic dexterity. The round was led by Silicon Valley's True Ventures with participation from Flying Fox Ventures, Radar Ventures and UNSW Founders, the last of which is a program launched by the university where Contactile's three co-founders developed the company's core technology. What makes Contactile's sensor technology superior is its ability to measure 3D forces and torques, partial slip and friction — all essential parameters for enabling robotic dexterity. “To hold an object without letting it slip from our grasp, we squeeze it with our fingers,” said Dr. Heba Khamis, Conctactile co-founder and CEO. “When an object is heavier, we squeeze harder, and when an object is slippery, we squeeze harder. People know how hard to squeeze an object because they can feel the weight and the slipperiness by touching the object. But robots haven't been able to feel these things before now.” Khamis co-founded Contactile with Benjamin Xia, CTO, and Associate Professor Stephen Redmond. The three co-founders have been developing tactile sensors together for eight years, beginning at UNSW Sydney, where they each studied or taught, and performed research in electrical, software and biomedical engineering. Together, they've developed deep expertise in human tactile physiology, artificial tactile sensing, signal processing and machine learning, and control. “We're delighted to partner with True and this amazing group of investors, each of whom brings deep experience in different aspects of rapidly scaling businesses,” said Khamis. “They understand the massive opportunity in robotics and the need for smarter, more flexible and more reactive robots that can help do the jobs that are too dull, dirty and/or dangerous for people to do.” While robots currently on the market can pick up and place items, they must be precisely programmed for every object they encounter; they cannot adapt to pick up new objects without new, more advanced programming. As such, their behaviour is un-humanlike and incapable of complex manipulation. Opening jars, turning door handles, and even operating tools are triumphs. Contactile’s technology enables robotic grippers to autonomously handle objects never before encountered but also to perform more complex manipulation through touch sensor feedback, enabling robots to use their ‘hands’ in a more flexible, versatile way. Contactile is looking to solve both short-term and long-term problems – from warehouse fulfillment – e.g., autonomous gripping of thousands of unique products in a grocery store – to space applications – for example, versatile robots for building infrastructure on planets other than Earth.
