Elbit to launch machine teaming centre in Melbourne

The Victorian Government, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Australia, will establish a Centre of Excellence for Human and Machine Teaming in Melbourne, to drive the research, development and commercialisation of defence technologies.

The investment by the Australian subsidiary of Israeli global conglomerate Elbit is expected to bolster the state’s defence chain capability and create local jobs. Elbit develops and supplies a range of technology systems and products that use artificial intelligence, sensors, data and networks in areas of defence and homeland security.

“We’re proud to be supporting Elbit to grow its global footprint in Melbourne, an investment that will boost the commercialisation of defence innovations and create new local jobs,” said Martin Pakula, Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery.

Utilising specialist Australian engineers, Elbit’s Port Melbourne-based centre will work with Victorian universities and research organisations to foster collaboration, create new products and develop existing research discoveries into licensed products. Elbit will also partner with start-ups and small-to-medium enterprises to boost the commercialisation success of new discoveries in the fields of autonomous systems, machine vision, robotics, Industrial Internet of Things networks, and augmented and virtual reality.

“By partnering with defence innovators like Elbit we are investing in Victoria’s future — creating jobs, attracting global tech leaders and cementing our position as a first-class destination for businesses from all over the world,” said Tim Pallas, Victorian Minister for Economic Development.

The centre’s first research project will focus on building innovative technology applications for emergency services and defence to save time and resources. Development of the new technology will involve digitising manual processes and systems and fusing multiple data and sensor inputs to enhance situational awareness and decision processes, to assist Victoria’s emergency services in the future.

In Australia, Elbit provides digitisation technologies to the Australian Defence Force, including interfaces with airborne platforms, naval platforms and unmanned systems, some of which will be adapted and developed through the new Melbourne centre for application in emergency services.

“The Centre of Excellence is a key milestone in the Elbit’s transformation to be an independent innovative technology company in Australia, employing locals to create products designed for the Australian market,” said Paul McLachlan, Managing Director of Elbit Systems of Australia.

The Victorian Government will provide $6 million to support the growth of the state’s defence sector, which includes attracting global leaders such as Elbit to invest and work in Victoria.

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