Are drones the future?

Robotic technologies such as drones, UAVs and robots are considered to be at the forefront of what is being referred to as the "Fourth Industrial Revolution".

Results from a recent survey we conducted found that survey respondents believed that drones, UAVs and robotics was the biggest product category that was going to increase in the next 12 months.

This new wave of intelligent automated technology is expected to be a huge financial growth opportunity for Australia in the coming decade. It has been estimated that robotic automation can boost Australia’s productivity by $AU2.2 trillion by 2030.

For security, law enforcement and defence, the applications for robotic technology are varied and the potential to develop this industry in Australia is high.

Australia is considered a global leader in the research and development of cyber-physical systems, computer vision, field robotics, simulation and robotic visions and has developed a thorough plan to capitalise on this innovation through to 2030 (the Innovation and Science Australia – ISA – 2030 plan). However, as a nation, Australia has a long way to go before it is can truly be said to be a world leader in the automation industry.

Australia currently ranks 18th in the world when it comes to the application of industrial robots, with 50% fewer firms engaged in automation than the leading countries.

Read our full white paper report here.