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Meet our E.P.I.C. Researcher, Zongyuan Zhang

Posted on by Katherine Christensen

Zongyuan Zhang is a PhD Researcher in the Biomimic Program and is currently researching the following problem: how to use robots with a non-rigidly fixed chassis to perform contact tasks on a much larger workpiece that has been placed arbitrarily on the floor of a factory.

We interviewed Zongyuan recently to find out more about why he does what he does.

 

 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your research with the Centre? Include the long-term impact of what you are doing.

I am Zongyuan Zhang from China. I completed my bachelor’s degree in mechatronic engineering (robot manufacturing direction) in China and later pursued an MSc in robotics in the UK. Currently, I am pursuing a PhD at the Australian Cobotics Centre, researching how mobile robots can perform contact tasks such as grinding and assembly. Through this research, I hope to enhance the versatility of robots, enabling them to efficiently and accurately complete tasks in various production environments, just like humans.

Why did you decide to be a part of the Australian Cobotics Centre?

Humans have undergone hundreds of millions of years of evolution, developing highly efficient and stable task execution capabilities. In contrast, robots have only been developing for a few decades. I am particularly interested in how robots can learn strategies from human task execution. The Australian Cobotics Centre conducts extensive research on human-robot collaboration, with many researchers having deep insights into the connections between humans and robots. By joining the Australian Cobotics Centre, I can further explore how robots can be inspired by human behaviour.

What project are you most proud of throughout your career and why?

Although it may not be the most academically impactful, I am particularly impressed by my project on “using a VR system to remotely control a manipulator for massage.” In this project, I used a VR headset and controllers to remotely control a manipulator to massage a patient. I explored how humans can control robots in an immersive way as if they were using their bodies. I am impressed by this project because, using robots, humans can save a significant amount of physical effort in tasks. This potential for human-robot collaboration has fueled my enthusiasm for future robotics research.

What do you hope the long-term impact of your work will be?

Humans can perform tasks in a variety of complex environments. By using mobile robots and learning from the strategies humans use to perform tasks, I hope robots can be more widely applied in various production environments, not just limited to factory settings.

Aside from your research, what topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?

For example, “The future relationship between robots and humans.” There has always been considerable discussion about whether robots will take over certain human jobs. In my view, this touches on the essence of human existence, which is that existence is humanity’s primary concern. The arrival of robots has resulted in job losses for some individuals, diminishing their sense of existence. However, it also boosts overall societal work efficiency, thus enhancing the efficiency of existence for everyone. From a historical perspective, this aligns with the transition from individuals in early societies obtaining necessary survival goods through hunting to those in industrial societies relying more on the division of labour to secure necessities. This parallels the second law of thermodynamics— the increasing complexity of human society and the decrease in individual existence is natural but warrants exploration.

Exploring the Realities of Cobot Adoption in Manufacturing

Posted on by Katherine Christensen

We’re proud to celebrate the latest publication from our research team in Futures, a leading journal by Science Direct. Congratulations to PhD researcher Nisar Ahmed Channa, Program Co-Lead Professor Greg Hearn, and Associate Investigator Associate Professor Dr Luca Casali on the release of their thought-provoking article, “When socio-technical imaginaries meet the reality of adoption: Cobots in manufacturing.”

This timely study examines the complex journey of collaborative robots (Cobots) in the manufacturing sector. It sheds light on how socio-technical imaginaries—shared visions of technological futures—shape and are shaped by the real-world challenges of Cobot adoption.

The authors delve into the gap between imagined futures and on-the-ground implementation, highlighting both the promise and practical realities faced by industries integrating Cobots into their operations. Their work offers valuable insights for researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers who are navigating the evolving landscape of human-robot collaboration.

🔗 Read the full article HERE

This publication reflects the Australian Cobotics Centre’s ongoing commitment to advancing knowledge at the intersection of people, technology, and the future of work.

Australian Cobotics Centre Researchers Present at AOA QORF 2025 Meeting

Posted on by Katherine Christensen

Last week, researchers from the Australian Cobotics Centre were proud to present their work at the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) Queensland Orthopaedic Research Fund (QORF) 2025 Meeting, held at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane.

This annual event brings together clinicians, researchers, and industry professionals from across the country to explore the latest developments in orthopaedic research and practice. As part of the program, several members of the Cobotics Centre team showcased how collaborative robotics and human-centred design can support and enhance surgical workflows.

Dr Alan Burden, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, and PhD researcher Jasper Vermeulen shared insights from their current projects, which focus on the integration of collaborative robotic systems in clinical settings. Their presentations highlighted how designing with people in mind—especially surgeons—can lead to more effective and efficient outcomes in the operating theatre.

PhD researcher James Dwyer delivered a live demonstration of his prototyping project, offering attendees a hands-on look at the kinematic puppet—a novel tool that allows users to explore human-robot interaction through physical manipulation and virtual simulation. The system is designed to make the process of testing and refining robotic motion more accessible and intuitive, particularly in the context of Robot-Assisted Surgery (RAS).

This interactive platform enables users to guide a virtual robot arm using a physical puppet made from 3D-printed joints and PVC linkages, supported by a digital twin developed in Unreal Engine. The result is a powerful tool that makes it easier for researchers and clinicians to collaborate and experiment with surgical robotics in real time.

Those interested in a deeper dive into this work can read more in a recent publication by James Dwyer and Dr Valeria Macalupu, titled: “What Would Jim Henson Do? Roleplaying Human-Robot Collaborations Through Puppeteering”
You can access the full paper HERE.

We’re grateful to the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) and the ARC Training Centre for Joint Biomechanics for including our researchers in the QORF 2025 program. It’s opportunities like these that allow our team to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and help shape the future of surgical innovation in Australia.

Industry Calibration Visits Drive Deeper Alignment and Future Focus for Australian Cobotics Centre

Posted on by Katherine Christensen

As part of the Australian Cobotics Centre’s (ACC) ongoing commitment to delivering real-world impact, the Centre has recently commenced a series of in-person Industry Calibration Visits to deepen engagement with our industry partners and ensure our research continues to meet evolving manufacturing needs.

These visits, led by Professor Jochen Deuse (Associate Director for Industry Engagement), are a direct outcome of the Centre’s recent internal review, which highlighted the importance of enhancing industry engagement and knowledge transfer. Jochen is joined on the visits by program leads (Glenda Caldwell, Müge Belek Fialho Teixeira, Michelle Dunn, Mats Isaksson, Markus Rittenbruch) and postdoctoral researchers (Melinda Laundon, Alan Burden, Sheila Sutjipto), reinforcing our holistic approach to cobot implementation and increasing exposure to industry settings for early career researchers. Swinburne Node Leader Mats Isaksson is working with Jochen to ensure that insights from the visits are translated into meaningful follow-up actions.

Purpose and Structure

The Calibration Visits are designed to:

  • Gain deeper insight into the future work requirements and priorities of our partners.

  • Identify potential applications for collaborative robotics (cobots) within partner operations.

  • Explore opportunities for onsite cobot training to build workforce capability.

  • Collect valuable feedback on past and current projects.

  • Understand how research outcomes are being used and how we can help maximise their value.

  • Record actual and potential impacts of our projects across partner organisations.

Each visit follows a structured agenda, including a review of projects undertaken, discussions around automation strategy and challenges, facility tours, and a debrief to identify potential cobot applications, “quick wins,” and next steps. Importantly, barriers to cobot adoption are also being documented to help guide the Centre’s future research direction.

Sites and Participation

Calibration Visits are currently being held with partners who have manufacturing capabilities. The first round of visits has included:

Looking Ahead

Virtual calibration meetings with other industry partners are scheduled for May and June, ensuring we capture a comprehensive view of partner needs across the full spectrum of our network.

These visits come at a crucial time. As highlighted in our recent newsletter, the Centre is entering its final years of operation under the current ARC funding. Demonstrating our impact—and maximising the value of our work—is more important than ever. The recent demonstration of the InfraBuild Shorts Project at the Sydney Mill is a great example of how years of research, collaboration, and co-design with industry can result in tangible, on-site innovation.

We look forward to sharing more outcomes from the Calibration Visits in the coming months and using these insights to shape the final phase of the Centre.

Cook Medical: L-R Kettina Materna, Jochen Deuse, Markus Rittenbruch
B&R Enclosures: Glenda Caldwell, Chris Cheers, Josiah Brooks, Jochen Deuse, Eric Stocker
InfraBuild: Jochen Deuse, Mats Isaksson, Michelle Dunn, Sheila Sutjipto, Andrew Thomas
Stryker: Alan Burden, Melinda Laundon, Jochen Deuse, Tom Williamson
Stryker: Müge Belek Fialho Teixeira, Jochen Deuse, Tom Williamson, Melinda Laundon

ARTICLE: Beyond Efficiency: Ethical Considerations of Adopting Cobots

Posted on by Katherine Christensen

Collaborative robots, commonly referred to as “Cobots,” are among the most groundbreaking technological advancements of our time. Academics and industry experts firmly believe that Cobots have the potential to revolutionise global manufacturing. A Cobot is a context-aware robot equipped with artificial intelligence and vision capabilities, enabling it to safely coexist with both human operators and machines in the same workspace.

The adoption of Cobots in manufacturing is one of the key enablers of Industry 5.0. The concept of Industry 5.0 was first proposed by Michael Rada[i] in 2015, after it was felt that Industry 4.0, the predecessor of Industry 5.0 was unable to meet the increasing demands of personalization and customization of goods. Through incorporation of highly advanced systems such as artificial intelligence, automated systems, internet of things, and cloud computing, Industry 4.0 was aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and productivity by connecting physical and virtual worlds. However, the rapidly evolving global business dynamics shifted the industry paradigm from not just efficient production but also high-value mass customization and personalization of goods. It was widely believed that Industry 4.0 was unable to address these changes. Therefore, Industry 5.0 was coined to address changing industrial dynamics focusing on collaboration between advanced production systems, machines and humans.

To reap the enormous benefits associated with this technology, its adoption necessitates careful consideration of the risks that could potentially affect the well-being of human operators who work collaboratively with Cobots.

Ethical Considerations of Adopting Cobots

Ethical considerations when adopting Cobots encompass a wide range of social factors[ii]. As defined by the British Standards Institution[iii], ethical hazards are any potential source of harm that compromises psychological, societal, and environmental well-being. While collaborative settings involving Cobots offer benefits like reducing physically demanding tasks for humans, they have also brought forth new risks and ethical considerations that demand attention during their planning and use. In following sections, I will discuss some of the ethical considerations of adopting Cobots:

Emotional Stress

Understanding potential worker emotional stress may result in designing better human-Cobot interaction systems that minimise stress and enhance the overall user experience. Cobots may cause emotional stress among users for several reasons. For instance, users might feel they have less control over their work environment when Cobots are involved, especially if the Cobots operate autonomously. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress. Moreover, Cobots are often used for tasks that require high precision and concentration, thus pressure to perform these tasks accurately can be mentally exhausting and stressful. The constant need to monitor and interact with Cobots can trigger physiological stress responses, such as increased heart rate and tension. Organisations can consider these factors when designing and implementing cobots.

Social Environment

Understanding potential social environment related disruptions, manufacturers can develop strategies to mitigate workers’ concerns and create a harmonious work environment. Unless workers are involved in the design and planning of Cobot implementations, they may disrupt the social harmony of the workplace in several ways, for example by raising concerns about job security among workers, or causing anxiety and tension due to the fear of being replaced by robots. This can lead to confusion and ambiguity about job roles, causing stress and disrupting team cohesion. Furthermore, the presence of Cobots can alter social interactions in the workplace, with some workers viewing them as teammates while others see them as intruders, potentially leading to conflicts. Additionally, the increasing autonomy of Cobots raises ethical questions about decision-making and accountability.

Social Acceptance

By comprehending social acceptance related community factors, strategies can be developed to enhance the acceptance of Cobots. Communities play a crucial role in determining the acceptance of new technologies. Several key factors influence the acceptance of Cobots. Different cultures exhibit varying levels of comfort and acceptance towards technology. Some cultures place a higher level of trust and enthusiasm for technological advancements, which can lead to greater acceptance of Cobots. The opinions and behaviours of peers, family, and colleagues can significantly impact an individual’s acceptance of Cobots. Communities with higher levels of education and awareness about the benefits and functionalities of Cobots tend to accept them more readily. Government policies and incentives that promote the use of Cobots can positively influence community acceptance. Supportive regulations and funding for Cobot integration can encourage businesses and individuals to adopt this technology.

Data Collection

Firms adopting Cobots need to devise their data management policies and ensure workers that collected data will not be used by any other third party. Considering that Cobots collect a variety of data from their safety systems, there’s a risk that operators and user data could be collected, used, and sold without consent. Research indicates that many industry organisations were already interested in the potential value of this data in developing future products and services.

The addressal of these ethical considerations can ensure that the adoption of Cobots contributes positively to society and aligns with our social values. Thus, by prioritizing ethics, we can foster trust and acceptance of Cobots in manufacturing.

[i] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/industry-50-from-virtual-physical-michael-rada/

[ii] https://www.centreforwhs.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/1128133/Work-health-and-safety-risks-and-harms-of-cobots.pdf

[iii] https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/robots-and-robotic-devices-guide-to-the-ethical-design-and-application-of-robots-and-robotic-systems

Meet our E.P.I.C. Researcher, Mariadas Roshan

Posted on by Katherine Christensen


Mariadas Roshan is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Quality Assurance and Compliance program and is currently involved in an industrial-based cobot automation project.

We interviewed Mariadas recently to find out more about why he does what he does.

 

 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your research with the Centre? Include the long-term impact of what you are doing.

I am a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Quality Assurance and Compliance program (P4) at the Australian Cobotics Centre, based at Swinburne University of Technology. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering and completed my PhD in Robotics, where I focused on developing autonomous ultrasound imaging systems using computer vision and collaborative robots.

At the Centre, my research focuses on integrating collaborative robotics and intelligent vision systems into real-world manufacturing environments to improve quality control, ensure compliance, and enhance human-robot collaboration. I am currently working on an industry-based project that aims to automate and optimise quality assurance in manufacturing. In parallel, I’m involved in projects exploring how collaborative robots can be used for both autonomous and teleoperated ultrasound imaging in healthcare.

I believe that the potential of robots is still underutilized or not fully understood in many real-world applications. My long-term goal is to help bridge that gap, by driving the adoption of robotics across diverse sectors like manufacturing and healthcare. This will ensure that these technologies are accessible, effective, and aligned with real human needs.

Why did you decide to be a part of the Australian Cobotics Centre?

I’ve always had a passion for robotics, which led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering and later a PhD in Robotics. During my PhD, I became increasingly aware that much of the research being done either didn’t reach industry or lacked practical impact. I’ve always been motivated by research that addresses real-world problems and delivers tangible solutions to industry challenges.

When I was looking for a postdoctoral opportunity, the Australian Cobotics Centre stood out because of its strong focus on implementing collaborative robotics in Australian manufacturing. The Centre’s mission aligns closely with my own values, ensuring that cutting-edge research leads to meaningful, real-world outcomes. What also attracted me was the Centre’s diverse, interdisciplinary team, which considers not only the technical aspects of cobot implementation but also the human, organisational, and design perspectives. It’s an environment where I can contribute while also learning and growing alongside experts from various fields.

What project are you most proud of throughout your career and why?

One of the projects I’m most proud of took place during my PhD, when I worked part-time as a mechatronics engineer at a start-up mask manufacturing company at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, Australia had only one local mask production facility, and the manufacturing machines were imported, which meant we had very limited technical support. I was part of the team responsible for designing and deploying the automation of the mask production process, an effort that was both urgent and technically demanding. Despite the limited resources and high-pressure environment, we successfully established a functioning production line. Even though regulatory compliance wasn’t my core area, I also took on the responsibility of overseeing lab testing and navigating the TGA approval process, as our team lacked expertise in that area. It was a demanding but incredibly rewarding experience, especially knowing the direct impact it had during a national health crisis.

Another project close to my heart is one I’m currently involved in is a teleoperated and autonomous collaborative robot system for ultrasound imaging. The goal is to create a solution that can support healthcare professionals and provide better access to diagnostic services in regional and remote communities. I’ve been contributing to this outside of my main projects because I strongly believe in its potential to make a real impact in the healthcare sector.

What do you hope the long-term impact of your work will be?

Through my experience working on industry-focused projects, I’ve come to realise that many companies, especially SMEs, are still hesitant to adopt robotics due to factors like perceived risk, high initial investment, and a general lack of awareness, particularly in Australia.  I hope the long-term impact of my work will be to bridge that gap by demonstrating the real-world value and practicality of robotics across industries.

I want to support wider acceptance and adoption of robots, not just in manufacturing but also in underexplored areas like healthcare, where robotics can have a significant impact. Ultimately, I aim to contribute to a future where robotics is seen not as a complex or risky investment, but as a valuable and accessible tool that can enhance productivity, improve safety, and create better outcomes for people and businesses alike.

Aside from your research, what topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?

Without a doubt, cricket! I’ve been a huge fan since I was young. While I don’t get as much time these days to watch full matches, I still closely follow scores, player stats, and expert analyses. I especially enjoy watching podcasts and technical breakdowns of games, where strategies, player skills, and match dynamics are discussed in depth. Whether it’s team strategies, player performance trends, or predicting outcomes based on pitch conditions and line-ups, I could easily give a detailed and passionate talk on any aspect of the game.

HRI 2025: A Successful Conference for our researchers!

Posted on by Katherine Christensen

The ACM/IEEE International Human-Robot Interaction Conference (#HRI2025) in Melbourne has wrapped up and our team had a fantastic time at the conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special congratulations to our researchers who were awarded prizes for their submissions:
* Best Demo for “What Would Jim Henson Do? Roleplaying Human-Robot Collaborations Through Puppeteering”, by PhD researcher James Dwyer, Stine Johansen, Jared Donovan, Rafael Gomez FDIA & Markus Rittenbruch (QUT (Queensland University of Technology))
* Best Late-Breaking Report for “Redrawing Boundaries: Systemic Impacts of Rehabilitation Robots in Clinical Care Settings” by visiting PhD researcher, Amir Asadi, Damith Herath, Grant Shaw, Glenda Caldwell & Elizabeth Williams

It was also exciting to have several of our researchers present their work:
* PhD researcher Jasper Vermeulen and postdoctoral researcher Alan Burden led the in-person part of the Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality for Human-Robot Interaction Workshop (VAM-HRI), organised by: Selen Turkay, Maciej Woźniak, Gregory LeMasurier, Glenda Caldwell, Jasper Vermeulen, Alan Burden
* PhD researcher Yuan Liu from QUT (Queensland University of Technology) presented a paper in the workshop: “Augmented Reality for Human Decision Making and Human-Robot Collaboration: A Case Study in A Gasket Room in Manufacturing”
*  Müge Belek Fialho Teixeira was part of the Cultural Robotics: Diversified Sustainable Practices workshop organised by Belinda Dunstan, Jeffrey TKV Koh, Hooman Samani, Müge Belek Fialho Teixeira
* Jasper Vermeulen presented a late breaking report “Investigating Human Factors in Mako-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgeries”, by Jasper Vermeulen, Alan Burden, Glenda Caldwell, Müge Belek Fialho Teixeira, & Matthias Guertler
* Stine Johansen, Markus Rittenbruch & Jared Donovan presented their paper on Embodied Composition for Imagining Robotic Sound Space
* Fouad (Fred) Sukkar & Teresa Vidal Calleja shared their insights on enabling safe, active, and interactive human-robot collaboration via smooth distance fields
* Dong An & Markus Rittenbruch explored the design of extended reality-enabled tangible interaction to enhance collaborative robot interaction.
* The Swinburne team, led by Mats Isaksson hosted a tour of the Intelligent Robotics Lab, giving attendees a chance to see some more robot demos.

One of the highlights of the conference was also the opportunity for our teams from University of Technology Sydney, Swinburne University of Technology, and QUT (Queensland University of Technology)—along with friends, both old and new from all over Australia and the world—to come together for a dinner.

The full conference proceedings can be found HERE.

We are already looking forward to #HRI2026 in Edinburgh!

Swinburne Secures AEA Ignite Grant for AI-Enhanced Teleoperated Echocardiography

Posted on by Katherine Christensen

Congratulations to our Swinburne University of Technology lead Prof Mats Isaksson and postdoc, Mariadas Capsran Roshan on their successful Australian Research Council AEA Grant!

Our researchers have received significant funding through the AEA Ignite grant for its project titled “AI-Enhanced Haptically-Enabled Robot for Teleoperated Echocardiography”. The funding will support early-stage research commercialisation, allowing the team to advance their innovative robotic platform for remote cardiac imaging.

The AEA Ignite grants provide up to $500,000 over 12 months to assist researchers at Australian universities in developing proof-of-concept solutions in industry-relevant settings. This grant ensures that the team can continue their work in refining their AI-driven robotic system, which aims to enhance the accessibility and accuracy of echocardiography procedures.

The project is led by a team of researchers, including Mats Isaksson, Mariadas Capsran Roshan, Mauricio Hidalgo Florez, Hailing Zhou, and Gavin Lambert from Swinburne University of Technology; Adrian Pranata from RMIT University; and Tom Marwick and Leah Wright from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. Their collaborative efforts aim to push the boundaries of medical robotics and improve patient outcomes through cutting-edge technology.

With this funding, the team can dedicate their focus entirely to advancing their robotic platform, bringing them closer to commercial viability and real-world application in the healthcare sector.

For more information on other funded projects, visit: AEA Ignite Funded Projects.

ARTICLE: Integrating Vision-Guided Cobots into Steel Manufacturing

Posted on by Katherine Christensen

A cobot equipped with a laser-mounted end-effector points at a detected short bar. A green dot marks the identified short bar, providing a clear visual cue for operators.

A demonstration of vision-guided collaborative robotics has shown what the future of automation in steel product manufacturing could look like. As part of the Australian Cobotics Centre’s (ACC) Biomimic Cobots Program, this research initiative fosters university-industry partnerships to drive technological advancements.  Researchers from the Robotics Institute at UTS and the Research Engineering Facility at QUT, in collaboration with InfraBuild, deployed a custom AI-based “shorts” detection system integrated with a collaborative robot (cobot) that aims to enhance safety and maintain quality control in an active production environment.

The industry partner, InfraBuild, operates a manufacturing process that involves producing hot steel bars in various shapes and sizes. Quality control is maintained through a manual process where workers, operating in 12-hour rotating shifts, identify and remove defective short-length bars, known as “shorts”, from a conveyor. This task is both physically demanding and requires continuous focus to reduce errors and ensure workplace safety.

A key requirement for the solution was that it integrate seamlessly into existing operations without necessitating extensive modifications to plant, equipment, or processes. However, due to the wide variety of products that InfraBuild manufactures, off-the-shelf automation solutions were not suitable for accurately identifying and removing every type of bar produced. Given these requirements, a vision system consisting of various sensing modalities and a cobot were selected. This choice minimises the disruption to Infrabuild’s current workflow since cobots can operate safely alongside human workers without the need for extensive guarding and offers the flexibility and the option to revert to manual operation if needed.

A major milestone was achieved during the demonstration, successfully showcasing the “shorts” detection and cobot bar tracking system functioning in a live factory environment.  During the demonstration, the AI-based “shorts” detection system successfully detected short bars in real time. This information was communicated through a graphical user interface, displaying live video streams from two cameras mounted on InfraBuild’s conveyor line. The interface also featured coloured indicators: dots marking the detected start and end of a bar, its corresponding length displayed in the centre, and the average length per run. If a short bar was detected, a red bounding box highlighted it, and its corresponding length measurement changed from green to red, providing a clear visual cue for operators. The additional information provided from each production run, offers valuable insights for InfraBuild’s quality assurance processes. Additionally, InfraBuild noted that the vision system alone was a valuable addition, as it would enable operators on the factory floor to more quickly identify and remove defective bars when necessary.

By leveraging real-time detections from the vision system, the cobot dynamically adjusted its actions, indicating the bars identified as “shorts” by pointing at them. A laser mounted on the cobot’s end-effector highlighted these bars, allowing staff from the ACC and InfraBuild to clearly see the identified short bar. This milestone demonstrated the adaptability of vision-guided cobots, which, unlike traditional automation systems requiring structured environments, can respond dynamically to changing conditions in manufacturing processes.

This trial serves as a proof of concept for integrating robotic vision systems into InfraBuild’s broader production lines and offers valuable insights for other SME manufacturing companies looking to implement similar cobot-enabled automation solutions. By demonstrating the potential of vision-guided cobots, this initiative represents a step toward smarter, safer, and more flexible manufacturing systems. Showcasing a live cobot system in a factory was a first and major milestone for the ACC, proving that it is possible to address challenging problems found in industry. This achievement provides insight on the commercial viability of such technologies, marking a step for InfraBuild as they move toward the next phase of development.

Graphical user interface of the AI-based ’shorts’ detection system. The top image displays a run with no short bars detected. In the bottom image, a short bar is identified, highlighted by a red bounding box, and its length measurement in the centre of the interface changes from green to red, providing a clear visual indicator.

 

Meet Our Team at #HRI2025 in Melbourne!

Posted on by Katherine Christensen

Meet Our Team at HRI2025 in Melbourne! Researchers from 4 of our 5 programs will be at the ACM/IEEE Human-Robot Interaction Conference next week!

Workshop Presentations
* Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality for Human-Robot Interaction Workshop (VAM-HRI) (3 March)
* QUT (Queensland University of Technology) PhD researcher, Jasper Vermeulen & postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dr Alan Burden will lead the in-person session, featuring guest speaker Associate Professor Wafa Johal
* Workshop Organisers: Selen Turkay, Maciej Woźniak, Gregory LeMasurier, Glenda Caldwell, Jasper Vermeulen, Alan Burden
* PhD researcher Yuan Liu will present: “Augmented Reality for Human Decision Making & Human-Robot Collaboration: A Case Study in Manufacturing.”

* Cultural Robotics: Diversified Sustainable Practices (3 March)
Organised by: Belinda Dunstan, Jeffrey TKV Koh, Hooman Samani, Müge Belek Fialho Teixeira

Demonstrations
* QUT PhD researcher James Dwyer (4-5 March)
* “What Would Jim Henson Do? Roleplaying Human-Robot Collaborations Through Puppeteering”, co-developed with Stine Johansen & Markus Rittenbruch

Paper Presentations
* University of Technology Sydney Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dr Fouad Sukkar & A/Prof Teresa Vidal-Calleja (5 March, Trust & Safety session)
“Enabling Safe, Active, and Interactive Human-Robot Collaboration via Smooth Distance Fields.” by Usama Ali, Fouad (Fred) Sukkar, Adrian Müller, Lan Wu, Cédric Le Gentil, Dr Tobias Kaupp, Teresa Vidal Calleja

* Dr Stine Johansen & Prof Markus Rittenbruch (4 March, 1B: Sound, Voices, Smells session)
“Embodied Composition for Imagining Robotic Sound Space”, authored by Stine Johansen, Yanto Browning, Anthony Brumpton, Jasper Vermeulen, Wei Win Loy, Jared Donovan, Markus Rittenbruch

* Jasper Vermeulen & Dr Alan Burden (5 March, Late Breaking Report)
“Investigating Human Factors in Mako-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgeries”, by Jasper Vermeulen; Alan Burden; Glenda Caldwell; Müge Belek Fialho Teixeira; Matthias Guertler

* Visiting PhD researcher from The Australian National University Amir Asadi (4 March, Late Breaking Paper)
“Redrawing Boundaries: Systemic Impacts of Rehabilitation Robots in Clinical Care Settings”, by Amirhossein Asadi, Damith Herath, Grant Shaw, Glenda Caldwell, Elizabeth Williams

* Prof Markus Rittenbruch & Dong An (Late Breaking Paper)
“The Design of Extended Reality-enabled Tangible Interaction to Enhance the Interaction with Collaborative Robots” by Dong An; Markus Rittenbruch; Leo Razayan

Lab Visit – Friday 7th March
* Intelligent Robotics Lab at Swinburne University of Technology
See our Swinburne team’s robots in action! Contact Prof Mats Isaksson to book.

Our Quality Assurance & Compliance researchers from Swinburne, Michelle Dunn and Chris McCarthy, will also be attending the conference!

Full program HERE.