The University of Canberra and OMRON Automation and Robotics Oceania have signed a three-year agreement aimed at advancing research, education and workforce development in robotics, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
The Memorandum of Understanding formalises a collaboration that has been developing over the past year and has already resulted in OMRON technologies being integrated into the university’s Collaborative Robotics Lab.
The partnership will focus on robotics research, AI, digital twin technology, advanced manufacturing innovation and industry engagement, while also providing students with greater access to emerging automation technologies.
Vice-chancellor and president Professor Bill Shorten said the agreement would strengthen Canberra’s position as a growing centre for intelligent automation and advanced manufacturing.
“With the powerful combination of research capability, government proximity and industry collaboration, Canberra is uniquely positioned to become the country’s heartland for robotics and systems innovation,” Professor Shorten said.
“UC’s partnership with OMRON is built on a shared vision of developing a future-ready workforce, while advancing the technologies that will shape the future of manufacturing, logistics and automation.
“When research, education, industry expertise and cutting-edge technology come together in this way, I believe the potential for what we can achieve is limitless.”
OMRON Oceania managing director Henry Zhou said the collaboration reflected the company’s commitment to supporting Australia’s future manufacturing capability.
“OMRON is proud to partner with the University of Canberra to help bridge industry and academia in areas that are critical to Australia’s future competitiveness.
“By bringing together advanced robotics, AI, automation and digital twin technologies, this collaboration will help accelerate innovation while building the future-ready workforce needed for increasingly digital and automated industries.”
The partnership will provide students and researchers with access to industrial robotics, autonomous mobile robots and digital twin systems. Students will be able to train in simulated industrial environments before working with physical OMRON equipment.
Engineering students will also gain access to internships, mentoring programs and work-integrated learning placements with industry partners.
Professor Damith Herath said the initial focus would centre on robotics, AI, logistics automation, warehousing and digital twin-enabled industrial systems.
“The initial focus will be on robotics, AI, automation for logistics and warehousing, and digital twin-enabled industrial systems, with the longer-term vision of establishing a jointly supported innovation hub within UC’s Collaborative Robotics Lab,” he said.
Japan’s embassy in Australia also welcomed the collaboration. First secretary and science attaché Shin Takakusagi said the partnership highlighted the growing science and technology relationship between the two countries.
“The partnership between the University of Canberra and OMRON represents an excellent example of how Japanese technology and Australian research institutions can work together to drive innovation and industrial transformation,” he said.
The collaboration is expected to support national priorities in advanced manufacturing while further strengthening Canberra’s innovation ecosystem.
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