en.Wedoany.com Reported - The University of Canberra and OMRON Automation and Robotics Oceania have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding to expand collaboration in robotics, artificial intelligence, digital twins, and advanced manufacturing, aiming to cultivate a future-ready workforce for increasingly automated industries.
This agreement builds on existing cooperation, with OMRON's technology previously integrated into the University's Collaborative Robotics Lab. University leadership stated that this partnership helps position Canberra as a development hub for intelligent systems and advanced manufacturing research.
Professor The Honourable Bill Shorten, Chancellor and President of the University of Canberra, noted that the city's research ecosystem, proximity to government, and industry collaboration environment give it a leading edge in robotics innovation. He stated that Canberra, with its combination of research capabilities, government proximity, and industry partnerships, is uniquely positioned to become Australia's center for robotics and systems innovation. He added that the partnership with OMRON is built on a shared vision of cultivating a future-ready workforce while advancing technologies that will shape the future of manufacturing, logistics, and automation.
Henry Zhou, Managing Director of OMRON Automation and Robotics Oceania, stated that the agreement reflects the company's long-term commitment to supporting Australia's advanced manufacturing capabilities and skills base. He noted that the collaboration brings together advanced robotics, AI, automation, and digital twin technologies, helping to develop a practical innovation pathway from research and prototyping to industrial deployment. He further emphasized that as advanced manufacturing rapidly evolves, such partnerships are crucial for developing a workforce with the practical skills needed in the digital and automation industries.
The Embassy of Japan in Australia welcomed this collaboration. Shin Takakusagi, First Secretary and Science Attaché, regarded this partnership as a typical example of Japanese technology collaborating with Australian research institutions to drive innovation and industrial transformation, and expressed anticipation that the cooperation would contribute to future collaboration between the two countries in advanced manufacturing, AI, and robotics.
Under the MoU, the parties will focus on collaboration in robotics research, workforce training, and applied innovation projects, facilitating the translation of emerging technologies into manufacturing and logistics applications. Professor Damith Herath, Founding Director of the Collaborative Robotics Lab, stated that the partnership has already generated industry-relevant research opportunities. He explained that initial focus areas include robotics, AI, logistics and warehouse automation, and digital twin-based industrial systems, with a long-term vision of establishing a jointly supported innovation hub within the lab.
Luat Nguyen, Head of Robotics at OMRON, noted that students and researchers will gain hands-on exposure to industrial robots, autonomous mobile robots, machine automation systems, and digital twin environments through this collaboration, which closely resemble modern manufacturing operations. He emphasized that integrating academic research with practical industrial technology helps accelerate innovation and build workforce capacity for Australia's automation industry. OMRON stated that the collaboration is also expected to influence curriculum development, expand student opportunities such as internships and work-integrated learning, and better align education with the needs of advanced manufacturing.
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