The future location of Australia’s first-ever Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub on Brisbane’s northside has been visited this week by World Economic Forum representatives undertaking a statewide tour of innovative Queensland manufacturers.
The ARM Hub is an $18 million advanced manufacturing initiative being delivered in partnership with the Palaszczuk Government, QUT, Urban Art Projects (UAP) and other organisations.
State Minister for Manufacturing Cameron Dick said the visit by World Economic Forum Advanced Manufacturing representatives was a huge vote of confidence for manufacturing in Queensland.
“Forum representatives have travelled to Queensland because they recognise our strong advanced manufacturing capabilities and the potential our $20 billion sector holds,” Dick said.
“They see our state as a ‘lighthouse’ for Industry 4.0 and were attracted here to learn more about the techniques we’ve adopted to help our manufacturers transition to advanced manufacturing capabilities and create more jobs.”
In addition to Brisbane, World Economic Forum representatives will also visit Townsville, Cairns and Toowoomba, hosting a roundtable at each location with industry and government.
World Economic Forum’s visit to Queensland was at the invitation of Leanne Kemp Queensland Chief Entrepreneur and appointed Co-Chair, Global Future Council on the Future of Manufacturing, World Economic Forum.
Kemp said the World Economic Forum’s Readiness for the Future of Production Report says Australia has the resources and the right combination of other capabilities to capitalise on opportunities.
“Queensland is leading the world in open, collaborative and democratised technology on the factory floor,” she said
“Advanced manufacturing will enable the transition to the circular economy, which will create new business models.
“There is no better way of doing this than through a connected ecosystem approach, and I’m pleased to showcase Queensland’s capabilities on the international stage.”
UAP co-founder and Managing Director Matthew Tobin said UAP is thrilled to be part of building a more collaborative and connected manufacturing industry.
“The ARM Hub and the World Economic Forum are important resources that will help local businesses benefit from our industry’s rapid digital transformation,” Tobin said.