AUSSIE TEAM 2nd IN
LEFT: CSIRO’s Data61 scientists prepare their robots for the final challenge in DARPA’s Subterranean Challenge, otherwise known as the Robot Olympics. OPPOSITE: ‘Bingo’ sniffs a path through a tunnel. Photos supplied by CSIRO.
Australian robotics experts led by national science agency CSIRO, beat teams from NASA JPL/MIT, California Institute of Technology, and Carnegie Mellon University in September to claim second place in a world-leading robotics competition dubbed the ‘Robot Olympics’. Organised by the US Defense research agency DARPA and spanning a three-year-period, the Subterranean Challenge was designed to push the boundaries of autonomous robotic technology. Scientists were tasked with remotely running their robots in an underground environment that simulated a real-world scenario. This included locating models representing lost or injured humans, backpacks, or phones, as well as variable conditions such as pockets of gas. 96
Points were awarded for correct identification and location of items, mapping the terrain, and maintaining autonomy and communications throughout. The competition culminated in a final event held inside the Louisville Mega Cavern in Louisville, Kentucky. You can watch the Australian team’s final run on YouTube. Made up of members from CSIRO’s Data61, CSIRO spinout robotics company Emesent, and the Georgia Institute of Technology, the team competed under the name ‘CSIRO’s Data61’ and won the preliminary round before being awarded second in the final circuit, to collect US$1million. CSIRO’s Robotics group leader and team leader CSIRO’s Data61 Navinda Kottege said it was an amazing result. “We are the first Australian team to place in the top two at a DARPA robotics challenge,” Dr Kottege said.
“This cements CSIRO’s place as a world leader in robotics and puts Australia firmly on the map in this increasingly important area of science. “I’d like to thank team partners Emesent and Georgia Institute of Technology for their exceptional research and development and contribution to this amazing result.” The $US1 million ($AUD1.3) prize money will be reinvested into team CSIRO’s Data61 research and development of Australian technology. CTO and co-founder of Emesent Farid Kendoul said the achievement was great news for Australia. “I am so proud of team CSIRO’s Data61 placing second, and the contributions that Emesent made over the three years to advance the team’s state-of-the-art robotics and showcase the capabilities of Australian companies on a global stage,” Dr Kendoul said.
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