Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Artificial Intelligence and Space

Australia is a large landmass with a relatively small population and so capabilities that deliver asymmetric advantage are vital.

Robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) capability and the ability to use artificial intelligence (AI) to operate these are critical to defending our nation in the land, maritime, air and space domains.

To ensure these capabilities are used to maximum effect, we need a deeper understanding of how these systems work, both autonomously and in teaming arrangements with other autonomous systems and human operators.

Our CADR in Robotics and Autonomous Systems (CADR-RAS) allows us to develop a deeper understanding of autonomous systems, how we can make them more robust by identifying how we can help them develop and demonstrate spatial and contextual awareness, and ways we can interrogate and display the information they gather to create the required level of trust between the system and its human operator.

CADR-RAS is directly linked with the Defence Trailblazer, a University of Adelaide-led initiative, and the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre (TAS-DCRC). Both accelerate research outcomes into prototypes, products and services, and ultimately, defence capability.

This CADR also facilitated the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Lab at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) to ensure our future military leaders understand their capabilities, strengths and weaknesses.

With a current investment by the Department of Defence of $6.8m, and 19 projects partnering with 9 universities across Australia, CADR-RAS brings to bear the collective experience and knowledge of the national academic RAS research community.