Applied EV autonomous vehicle shows the futility of Australia’s car plans

By Peter Roberts For several decades Australia has a series of ‘car plans’ that succeeded in reducing model proliferation in what was once a highly protected industry, creating a sector which was technologically advanced and, with the subsidy of the plan, profitable for the surviving companies Ford GM and Totoya. It made an important contribution…

High-tech Australian manufacturers make finals at two award programs

Finalists for two competitions have been announced this week, with manufacturers in the running to win awards at the InnovationAus 2021 Awards and Australian Technologies Competition (ATC21.) The InnovationAus Awards include 11 categories. The Advanced Manufacturing finalists are: – Bodd, an additive manufacturing start-up using 3D printing, body scanning and SaaS technology to reinvent fashion;…

Mixed reception as PM splits Industry responsibilities

By James Riley The Prime Minister’s decision to split responsibility for Christian Porter’s former Industry, Science and Technology portfolio between two existing cabinet ministers has been given a broadly positive reception from the industry. The caveat, as always with this portfolio in recent years, is the generally expressed desire for greater stability within Industry. And there…

‘Not keeping pace’: Australia continues slide down world digital rankings

By Denham Sadler Australia has slid to its worst ever recorded performance in terms of digital competitiveness, coming in at 20th in a global study after dropping five places since last year. The IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking, a study of 64 countries by Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD), was released by the Committee…

Defence to use Myriota’s IoT data network

The defence department will utilise Myriota’s nanosatellite and IoT communications networks to retrieve data from hundreds of defence sites globally under a $5.5 million defence innovation contract. The Defence Innovation Hub contract will see the Adelaide company expand its cutting-edge satellite communications network and provide defence with an alternative global, space-enabled communications network. The contract…