LUMI robots scale up solar deployment with advanced automation

Solar farms across Australia are about to get a robotic makeover, with artificial intelligence-powered machines set to revolutionise how panels are installed across the country’s renewable energy landscape. Robotics pioneer Luminous has scored $4.9 million in funding as the first recipient of ARENA’s $100 million Solar ScaleUp Challenge, designed to crowdsource ideas from around the…

Federal government commits $750 million to boost metals manufacturing innovation

The Albanese government announced $750 million in funding to support the development of new technologies for Australia’s metals manufacturing sector, according to a joint media release on Friday. The investment aims to help metals manufacturers remain globally competitive while reducing emissions and is part of the $1.7 billion Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund announced…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Sparc, Flinders project backed by AEA grant Graphene business Sparc Technologies has announced that Flinders University, in partnership with Sparc, has been awarded funding under Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) Ignite grant program. In a statement on Friday, the company said the 12-month project aims to accelerate development and validation of a graphene-enhanced material for use…

New heights for Queensland’s sustainable aviation fuel industry

The federal government announced funding for two sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects in Queensland on Tuesday, according to a joint media release. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing $8 million to Australian technology developer Licella to assess the viability of establishing a biorefinery facility in the Bundaberg region. The facility would convert sugar…