Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Victoria backs SME digitalisation

The Victorian government has announced $5 million in rebates for the latest round of the Small Business Digital Adaptation Program. The programme has so far supported over 10,000 Victorian businesses to build their digital presence, streamline services and reach new customers. Small businesses can apply for $1,200 rebates to access a range of digital tools to make improvements to websites, online marketing, project management and stocktake systems and cash flow services. Once business owners have implemented the new technology, further assistance is also available through the programme to support a successful digital transition in addition to free digital workshops through Business Victoria. The round closes on 18 July 2022, with more information available here.

Brisbane takes delivery of first Brisbane battery electric Metro bus

Brisbane has taken delivery of the first battery electric bus (pictured) destined to operate the city’s new Brisbane Metro busway system. The pilot metro articulated bus will undergo testing on motorways and the South East Busway and Northern Busway in preparation for Brisbane Metro services – a planned high-frequency bus rapid transit system capable of transporting up to 3,000 passengers per hour in each direction. Brisbane City Council will introduce a new fleet of 60 battery electric, high‑capacity metro buses, working with vehicle manufacturer HESS, electric infrastructure experts Hitachi Energy and bus manufacturer Volgren. The system also includes state‑of‑the‑art, flash charging infrastructure.

H2X Global to develop hydrogen high floor bus for Sweden

Hydrogen mobility group H2X Global has announced an MOU with Sweden’s Trelleborg Municipality with the pair collaborating with Trelleborg Energi to develop the city’s first ever hydrogen high floor buses and a waste truck. H2X’s Sweden subsidiary will produce the commercial vehicles for Trelleborg, building on the recent MOU H2X has with the City of Gothenburg and Swedish waste company, Renova. The Trelleborg high floor buses designed by the company will have both hydrogen fuel cells and super capacitors, and be used as a school bus. H2X CEO, Brendan Norman said: “Introducing hydrogen buses and commercial vehicles to authorities’ fleet, by using the right technology for the varying operational requirements will help us all breathe cleaner air.”

Blackmagic Design announces new family of live production switchers

Australian digital cinema business Blackmagic Design has announced a new range of ATEM Constellation HD switchers at the NAB Show 2022, a trade event for content professionals in Las Vegas. According to Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design’s CEO, the news was significant as “many high end broadcasters don’t need Ultra HD, but they still need to upgrade their studios… Plus a lot of our ATEM Mini customers have been growing and doing innovative work. They are now looking to upgrade and purchase more advanced switchers that can keep up with their work as their streaming channels grow.” Blackmagic is headquartered in Port Melbourne and manufactures in Australia and internationally.

Picture: Brisbane City Council

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