Thales Australia has announced a partnership with Deakin University that will help shape the future of autonomous land systems in Australia.
Deakin will work alongside Thales Australia and 3ME Technology to develop, test and validate autonomy solutions for BladeHAUL, Thales and 3ME Technology's new heavy-duty hybrid-electric uncrewed ground vehicle that builds on proven capabilities from the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle. It is designed to deliver superior payload capacity across a range of missions including logistics transport, mobile energy supply and surveillance.
The partnership will focus on proving the platform's effectiveness, reliability and mission readiness in complex operational environments.
"BladeHAUL provides an ideal platform to apply and test next-generation autonomy technologies in demanding environments. The work undertaken through this partnership will help build the expertise, skills and knowledge needed to support Australia's long-term defence and industrial objectives," Jeff Connolly, CEO, Thales Australia and New Zealand, said.
"This strategic partnership demonstrates the value of Australian industry and academia working side by side to solve complex challenges. By connecting cutting-edge education and research, engineering and practical application, we are creating an innovation ecosystem for new ideas to be developed, tested and delivered where they can have the greatest impact."
"Deakin supports those who protect, safeguard and serve Australia, and the systems and capability on which they rely. Our expertise in autonomy, robotics and intelligent systems allows the development of technologies that can improve safety, reliability and operational effectiveness," James Mullins, Director Defence and Security, Deakin University, said.
"Working alongside Thales and 3ME Technology, in collaboration with government and end-users, will ensure we build a leading collaborative innovation ecosystem that can develop, test and validate autonomous systems to reduce risk to personnel and strengthen Australia's sovereign capability."