Aus innovation fires at Tech 23

Beverley Head
Thursday, 19 August 2010 14:11

IT Industry - Development

Innovation showcase Tech 23 got off to a blistering start this morning with a presentation about Australian developed military target robots about to be trialled by the US Marine Corps, the first of 23 local innovations competing for over $150,000 worth of prize money.

Organised by Slattery IT and supported through until 2013 by the NSW government's Industry and Investment group, Tech 23 is now in its second year and had more than 140 organisations send in their bids to participate in today's event. The organisers whittled that list down to around 40 organisations - 23 of whom are presenting at the event being held in Sydney today, with a further 17 showcasing their systems outside the conference proper.

Organiser Rachel Slattery said that about a third of the innovations had come out of R&D organisations such as universities, NICTA and the CSIRO. She added that the event had this year attracted the 'godfathers' of the local IT industry, people such as Allen & Buckeridge's Roger Allan and Bill Bartee from Southern Cross Venture Partners, who participated in panel sessions today.

Ms Slattery said that although there were similar events in the US; 'Tech 23 is less of a beauty contest and more about meeting people that can help.' Participants last year reported reaping a range of benefits  - BigTinCan for example has signed 1 million new users, IPScape found a new chairman - John Palfreyman - and last year's winner Posse found a lead investor at Tech23 and subsequently signed up additional investment from Sydney Angels, Artesian Capital and EMI Music.

First cabs off the ranks today were three robotics and space innovations from Marathon Robotics, Ocular Robotics and Saber Astronautics Australia.

Marathon Robotics, led by CEO Dr Alex Brooks (who is no relation to Australia's most famous robotic export Rodney Brooks who now works at MIT), has developed the military target robots which can be used in live fire military training situations to provide army personnel with the opportunity to develop the skills needed to patrol urban areas. The sensor controlled target dummy is mounted on a bulletproof Segway chassis - and if one is shot, can send a message to the other target dummies to scatter, mimicking real life situations.

At present the Australian Army is the only user of the system, although the US Marine Corps has recently signed up for a trial.