The government has awarded a $3.3 million contract to Brisbane robotics and AI company Cyborg Dynamics Engineering to develop an unmanned combat vehicle 'the likes of which has never been made in Australia'.
The contract is the company's first with the Defence Innovation Hub.
The semi-autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) will integrate an array of supporting Australian technologies into a modular, robotic platform, which if successful, could enhance the load carriage, fire support capabilities and protection of dismounted soldiers.
It will also explore on-board AI target recognition and advanced driving technologies that could allow for single person operation.
This would enable the all-terrain platform to improve in-field soldier capabilities and lethality, ultimately reducing operator risk by providing a robotic-assisted force.
“The Government invests in Australian businesses like Cyborg Dynamics because we understand that truly cutting-edge innovation could provide leading capabilities and better protection for the Australian Defence Force,” Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said.
“The Government’s investment in innovation through the Defence Innovation Hub is critical to ensuring Defence maintains a capability advantage as Australia’s strategic environment continues to rapidly evolve."
Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General, Assistant Minister for Women, Assistant Minister for Industrial Relations and Senator for Queensland Amanda Stoker said this was a major win for the State.
“This is a first-of-its-kind and a testament to Queensland’s innovation prowess,” Senator Stoker said.
“I’m pleased to see Brisbane’s increasing contribution to strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities.”