Integration of GPS/Pseudolites/INS to Geo-Reference Airborne Surveying and Mapping Sensors. This project aims to develop and test an innovative geo-referencing system for airborne surveying and mapping sensors. The proposed new system will be based on the deep integration of measurements from Global Positioning System (GPS), Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), and Pseudo-satellites (Pseudolites). This new system design can significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of the existing syste ....Integration of GPS/Pseudolites/INS to Geo-Reference Airborne Surveying and Mapping Sensors. This project aims to develop and test an innovative geo-referencing system for airborne surveying and mapping sensors. The proposed new system will be based on the deep integration of measurements from Global Positioning System (GPS), Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), and Pseudo-satellites (Pseudolites). This new system design can significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of the existing systems. This research will include theoretical analysis, algorithm development, system implementation, and performance evaluation, towards an operational geo-referencing system addressing ever-increasing demand for rapid acquisition of high quality spatial data from airborne sensors.Read moreRead less
Efficient Strategies for Coordinating Autonomous Vehicles for Maximising Australia's Waterfront Productivity. This project will lift the productivity of container terminals by enabling the effective deployment of autonomous vehicles in large numbers. The project outcomes of practically deployable and scalable algorithms, realised as live software, will significantly enhance Patrick Stevedores Holdings' world leading technology and the potential of such automation systems to revolutionise materia ....Efficient Strategies for Coordinating Autonomous Vehicles for Maximising Australia's Waterfront Productivity. This project will lift the productivity of container terminals by enabling the effective deployment of autonomous vehicles in large numbers. The project outcomes of practically deployable and scalable algorithms, realised as live software, will significantly enhance Patrick Stevedores Holdings' world leading technology and the potential of such automation systems to revolutionise material handling around the globe. Beyond the benefits of technology commercialisation, the project will also benefit Australia economically through extending its leading role in developing autonomous systems for material handling, enhancing the frontier technologies for building Australian industries, and alleviating looming capacity constraints.Read moreRead less
A Robotic System for Steel Bridge Maintenance. This research will bring enormous benefits to Australian community by significantly reducing the environmental impact of civil infrastructure maintenance operations, and improving the working conditions of maintenance workers by minimising their exposure to dust containing hazardous materials. Bridges are a key link that supports rural communities. Besides the 426 steel road bridges in NSW, many hundreds steel road/rail bridges and other steel infra ....A Robotic System for Steel Bridge Maintenance. This research will bring enormous benefits to Australian community by significantly reducing the environmental impact of civil infrastructure maintenance operations, and improving the working conditions of maintenance workers by minimising their exposure to dust containing hazardous materials. Bridges are a key link that supports rural communities. Besides the 426 steel road bridges in NSW, many hundreds steel road/rail bridges and other steel infrastructure in Australia need regular paint stripping and repainting. Australia will gain significant economic and health benefits from commercialising the advanced technologies developed by this project, and become a world leader in developing autonomous systems for infrastructure maintenance.Read moreRead less
A New Parallel Robot with breakthrough performance for Manufacturing of Aerospace Components - kinematic and dynamic synthesis, design optimisation and prototyping. The Gantry-Tau is a new parallel type robot manipulator that will have the large workspace benefit of traditional Gantry robots in addition to stiffness and accuracy benefits well beyond the capabilities of existing robots. Preliminary results have shown that the Gantry-Tau can become the most accurate Gantry manipulator to date, wit ....A New Parallel Robot with breakthrough performance for Manufacturing of Aerospace Components - kinematic and dynamic synthesis, design optimisation and prototyping. The Gantry-Tau is a new parallel type robot manipulator that will have the large workspace benefit of traditional Gantry robots in addition to stiffness and accuracy benefits well beyond the capabilities of existing robots. Preliminary results have shown that the Gantry-Tau can become the most accurate Gantry manipulator to date, with the potential of competing with dedicated machines in the manufacturing industry. The expected project outcome is a working prototype of the Gantry-Tau demonstrating machining performance on aerospace components, publications in high-ranked conferences and journals and several patent applications.Read moreRead less
Individual animal management for grazing beef cattle. This research will significantly improve the ability of the Australian beef pastoral industry to stay competitive in the world market whilst improving animal welfare standards for the industry. Labour shortages in rural and regional areas of Australia are a major problem to the grazing industry. This research will not only help address the shortfall in unskilled labour but will provide the tools for addressing many human and animal welfare ....Individual animal management for grazing beef cattle. This research will significantly improve the ability of the Australian beef pastoral industry to stay competitive in the world market whilst improving animal welfare standards for the industry. Labour shortages in rural and regional areas of Australia are a major problem to the grazing industry. This research will not only help address the shortfall in unskilled labour but will provide the tools for addressing many human and animal welfare issues associated with cattle handling. Read moreRead less
Precision three-dimensional localization system for underground mining vehicles, offering improved productivity and personnel safety. The advanced machine guidance and monitoring technology developed by this project will significantly enhance the partner organisation's capacity as a leading supplier of mining machine control systems. The deployment of such enhanced machine control systems will offer an immediate national benefit to the Australian Mining Industry by dramatically improving produc ....Precision three-dimensional localization system for underground mining vehicles, offering improved productivity and personnel safety. The advanced machine guidance and monitoring technology developed by this project will significantly enhance the partner organisation's capacity as a leading supplier of mining machine control systems. The deployment of such enhanced machine control systems will offer an immediate national benefit to the Australian Mining Industry by dramatically improving productivity and occupational safety. The national interest will also be served by this project's significant contribution to Australia's leadership position as an innovator in frontier technologies for mining and robotics. Furthermore, the research outcomes will help to solve similar positioning problems in hazardous, GPS-denied environments such as urban search and rescue.Read moreRead less
Zero Defect Manufacturing of Complex Assemblies. The aim of this research project is to develop the tools required to design and implement zero defect manufacturing systems. It is intended that generic guidelines will be developed for achieving zero defect manufacturing of complex assemblies in a cost effective manner. Methodologies and techniques derived from these guidelines will be tested and validated on an existing door trim assembly production line. This project with its emphasis on utilis ....Zero Defect Manufacturing of Complex Assemblies. The aim of this research project is to develop the tools required to design and implement zero defect manufacturing systems. It is intended that generic guidelines will be developed for achieving zero defect manufacturing of complex assemblies in a cost effective manner. Methodologies and techniques derived from these guidelines will be tested and validated on an existing door trim assembly production line. This project with its emphasis on utilising manufacturing systems involving a mix of human and robot based operations and in process inspection techniques to achieve defect free manufacturing is particularly relevant to medium size component suppliers.Read moreRead less
Laser-based dynamic measurements, model identification and error compensation for multi-arm robotic pre-fabrication of structural components. The aim is to establish methodologies for laser-based dynamic measurements, accurate model identification and error correction in multi-arm cooperative robotic manipulation systems. The expected outcomes include development of enabling technologies and the world's first automated fabrication system for structural timber components. The novel methodologi ....Laser-based dynamic measurements, model identification and error compensation for multi-arm robotic pre-fabrication of structural components. The aim is to establish methodologies for laser-based dynamic measurements, accurate model identification and error correction in multi-arm cooperative robotic manipulation systems. The expected outcomes include development of enabling technologies and the world's first automated fabrication system for structural timber components. The novel methodologies established will increase safety, and improve and automate the fabrication of wall frames, roof trusses, and floor and ceiling panels for housing, industrial and commercial projects within Australia and overseas. Other application areas include multi-arm manufacturing and handling of large components, materials handling in hazardous environments, and robotic servicing tasks in remote places.Read moreRead less
Environment modelling of Great Barrier Reef habitats using Autonomous Transect Surveying. This project has as its goal the development of algorithms and methods capable of modeling unstructured, reef environments using data collected by an autonomous robotic system capable of surveying the Great Barrier Reef. The Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) currently has a small research Umanned Underwater Vehicle capable of undertaking such survey work. Under the proposed project, this vehicle ....Environment modelling of Great Barrier Reef habitats using Autonomous Transect Surveying. This project has as its goal the development of algorithms and methods capable of modeling unstructured, reef environments using data collected by an autonomous robotic system capable of surveying the Great Barrier Reef. The Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) currently has a small research Umanned Underwater Vehicle capable of undertaking such survey work. Under the proposed project, this vehicle will be equipped with appropriate sensors (such as vision systems, sonar, depth and temperature sensors). The proposed grant will support an APA (I) whose aim will be the construction of comprehensive models of the state of the reef over which the vehicle will operate.Read moreRead less
Haptic-Rendered Bell Synthesis for a Practice Carillon Clavier. This project will explore new methods of audio synthesis that respond to haptic sensing. It seeks practical ways to control the synthesis of bell sounds using the mechanical playing action of a carillon keyboard as the human interface in a virtual instrument. Sensing technology developed will also benefit other areas of new performance media where multiple forms of sensory control are required to navigate interactive virtual environ ....Haptic-Rendered Bell Synthesis for a Practice Carillon Clavier. This project will explore new methods of audio synthesis that respond to haptic sensing. It seeks practical ways to control the synthesis of bell sounds using the mechanical playing action of a carillon keyboard as the human interface in a virtual instrument. Sensing technology developed will also benefit other areas of new performance media where multiple forms of sensory control are required to navigate interactive virtual environments. The project also creates new postgraduate research training opportunities in an area that crosses disciplinary boundaries between frontier technology and the creative arts.Read moreRead less