National Robotics Strategy: discussion paper

Yes

I speak from the point of view of Manufacturing.
Robotics and Automation improvements will reduce the magnitude of economies of scale and allow smaller factories to produce a wider range of products based on processes rather than just products.
3D printing, laser cutting, welding etc, will enable more flexible manufacturing with lower tooling costs.
Waste resource sorting and re-use- it is not sustainable to transport waste thousands of kilometres to use it. High quality sorting will enable simpler re-use.
Agriculture -

The success of robotics will be measured by our national wealth. If we start to produce more and import less, then robots have done their job.

Australian Manufacturing excels at low - volume flexible, lean. The circular economy and energy reduction will drive us to smaller manufacturing facilities supporting local areas. We should be driving down the "economies of scale" by implementing flexible production facilities making local needs from locally sourced or recovered goods.

Stop exporting rubble and importing high value goods - eg batteries and Solar panels.

Make electronic control equipment and electric motors that have a broad range of uses and let robotics grow from that.

There are lots of examples around the world of how to do this. Government assisted research projects are good - like CRC-Ps - Smaller companies should get a bigger slice of this pie so that start-ups and small organisations can benefit. Things like vision systems and AI can solve manufacturing issues. Good manufacturing leaders are engaged with Universities - but there aren't enough of them - I think Universities need to bang on doors of manufacturers to show what they can do - but they're not currently incentivised to do this - so that needs to change. Universities should be competing to get in the doors of manufactures.

Unlimited

More regular familiarisation with Robots - Food service, Welcoming in stores, universities, hotels, schools, sports stadiums. Competitions to automate australian pasttimes - Surfing, Cricket

Australians will benefit from Robotics and automation in many ways. They will be involved in the design and manufacture commissioning and installation of robotic systems rather than repetitive manual work. They will be challenged to problem solve. They will work in continuing productive profitable businesses rather than outdated non-competitive operations. They can implement continuous improvement programs through the study and analysis of performance data. They can modify the systems to produce new products. They can learn about condition monitoring and work with reliable machinery, not inconsistent unreliable tools. They can produce products of highly consistent quality without excessive inspections.

There is a lot of good work in STEM for women - I think as society increases encouragement of diversity it will flow to Automation.

Introduce robotics to the workplace, The interested ones will be attracted to them and a small amount of formal training and significant on- the job training will allow many to progress.

Governments generally don't demand Australian made goods in their procurements - they should report on Australian made content in their purchases.

Cost and Familiarity.
Cost - Rand D incentives for Robotic investment need to be increased.
Familiarity - in South Australia there are only a few great examples of robotics. During 2019 and 2020 the South Australian Government arranged a Robotics and Automation Emerging Technologies interest group that coordinated information sessions and site visits to multiple automation users. This helped people to see what was possible and to find value in collaboration. It is easier to imagine what you can do with some concrete examples of people doing it.