$5M awarded for Swinburne-led research hub for future digital manufacturing

Swinburne has been awarded $5 million to launch a new Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hub for Future Digital Manufacturing in 2023.

The Hub will devise new technology and pathways for commercialisation and industry adoption, and is one of five major new ARC Industrial Research Hubs announced by ARC Chief Executive Officer, Ms Judi Zielke PSM.

Led by Professor Dimitrios Georgakopoulos from Swinburne’s School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, the Hub will grow and accelerate Australia’s digital manufacturing transformation.

Swinburne’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Professor Karen Hapgood, was among the first to celebrate the success.

“Congratulations to the talented Swinburne researchers who have been funded to lead the new ARC Research Hub for Future Digital Manufacturing in 2023,” said Professor Hapgood.

“The team will apply their expertise in computer science, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) to transform manufacturing in Australia. Crucially, they’ll collaborate with industry to fast-track the uptake of new digital manufacturing technologies – bringing people and technology together for real-world impact.”

Research to transform the manufacturing industry

The ARC Research Hub in Future Digital Manufacturing will dramatically improve manufacturing productivity, resilience and competitiveness through new Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT)-powered digital manufacturing technology.

Through supporting advanced manufacturing priorities and Industry 4.0, the Hub estimates it will increase Australian manufacturing productivity and resilience by as much as 30 per cent.

A focus of the Hub will delivering cutting-edge technology for digitally representing, predicting and improving production.

The Hub’s team of Australian researchers – including Swinburne’s Associate Professor Prem Prakash Jayaraman, Professor Suresh Palanisamy, Professor Yang Xiang and Dr Lily Li – will work alongside lead researcher Professor Georgakopoulos.

They’ll also use an open platform to support co-creation with more than 10 leading industry partners across Australia.