We are creating the next generation of robots that can perceive their surroundings, make real-time decisions and learn from experience. Drawing on expertise in mechanical, electrical and software engineering, our researchers build autonomous systems for land, air, sea and space applications. These innovations enhance productivity and safety in sectors such as mining, transportation, agriculture and space exploration.
Our research spans three strengths across multidisciplinary research
Our research aims to develop autonomous robotic systems capable of operating in complex, unstructured outdoor environments such as farms, forests, and mines. This work directly supports our broader strategy to lead in technological innovation and address national priorities in agriculture, environmental sustainability, and resource management. This theme contributes to our mission of solving real-world problems through interdisciplinary research and industry collaboration.
We are developing robotic systems that can autonomously navigate and perform tasks in outdoor environments. This includes unpiloted aerial and ground vehicles for crop monitoring, livestock management, and automated mining operations. These systems are designed to handle hazardous or hard-to-reach areas, improving safety and operational efficiency.
Projects involve advanced sensing, mapping, and decision-making technologies that allow robots to adapt to changing conditions and learn from experience. For example, autonomous drones are used to monitor tree health and detect weeds, while ground robots assist in precision agriculture and orebody modelling.
This research aims to improve robotic performance in outdoor, unstructured environments with a focus on deploying autonomous systems in complex and dynamic settings like farms and mines, by developing field robotics capable of navigating and operating safely in hazardous or hard-to-reach areas. This enables greater efficiency and safety in industries such as agriculture and mining, with everyday impacts like automated crop monitoring for better food production and robotic systems that reduce human exposure to dangerous tasks.
Professor Yonghui Li, Associate Professor Tongliang Liu, Professor Ian Manchester, Professor Salah Sukkarieh, Associate Professor Chang Xu, Associate Professor Luping Zhou, Dr Wanchun Liu
Meat and Livestock Australia, Agerris, Land and Water Australia, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Department of Agriculture
Our research aims to revolutionise transport and logistics by developing self-driving cars and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that operate with minimal human input. This work supports our broader strategy to lead in technological innovation and address national priorities in smart infrastructure, mobility, and safety. This theme contributes to our mission of solving real-world challenges through interdisciplinary research and industry collaboration. Autonomous mobility technologies are reshaping how people and goods move, with applications spanning urban transport, freight logistics, agriculture, and defence.
We are developing autonomous ground and aerial vehicles equipped with sophisticated sensing, perception, and decision-making capabilities. These systems are designed to navigate complex environments, interact with infrastructure, and adapt to dynamic conditions. Projects include intelligent transport systems that use live traffic data for safer navigation, and UAVs for precision agriculture and environmental monitoring.
This research aims to improve autonomous mobility systems with a focus on safe navigation and efficient operation in complex environments, by developing intelligent UAVs and ground vehicles using AI, hybrid propulsion, and real-time sensing. This enhances transport safety, reduces emissions, and supports everyday applications like faster emergency response, smarter logistics, and cleaner urban travel.
Professor Abbas Jamalipour, Professor Yonghui Li, Ian Manchester, Professor Dries Verstraete, Associate Professor KC Wong, Dr Andrew Hill
AMSL Aero, Rio Tinto
Our research aims to advance autonomous systems in extreme environments, for example space or underwater, enabling intelligent, real-time decision-making in these complex and dynamic conditions. Common challenges encountered include harsh and unpredictable environments, limited or delayed communication, limited resources, and data collection, such as perception and sensing and interpretation. This research aligns with our strategy to lead in robotics, artificial intelligence, and systems engineering, addressing global challenges through innovation.
In space, we’re developing and testing goal-oriented autonomy algorithms for landing rovers and satellites. In water, we’re creating autonomous underwater vehicles for exploration and environmental monitoring, including advanced perception. Both application domains focus on adaptive control, sensor integration, and robust autonomy, contributing to a unified vision of intelligent, cross-domain robotic systems.
This research aims to improve autonomous systems in extreme environments, with a focus on intelligent decision-making in space and underwater exploration, by developing adaptive control, sensor integration, and robust autonomy algorithms. This leads to safer satellite landings, better environmental monitoring in oceans, and more reliable robotics in harsh conditions, benefiting everyday life through improved climate data, disaster response, and satellite-based services like GPS and communications.
Professor Salah Sukkarieh, Professor Stefan Williams, Dr Xiaofeng Wu
SmartSat CRC, DSTG, Waratah Seed, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Reach Robotics, Geo Oceans, Greybits Engineering, Fathom Pacific, Reach Robotics
