Eleven Australian innovators from both the defence and civil sectors have been shortlisted for the prestigious INDO PACIFIC 2022 Innovation Awards, worth $30,000. Among them are a company manufacturing flame-resistant wall insulation panels for ships that both increase protection and reduce weight; and a company using Artificial Intelligence to examine every frame in the video feed from a maritime surveillance sensor to detect sub-pixel targets the human eye can’t see. The winners will receive their Awards during the INDO PACIFIC 2022 International Maritime Exposition at Sydney’s International Convention Centre (ICC) at Darling Harbour, but their names will be announced at a special online event on 26 April. The Awards are:
- INDO PACIFIC 2022 National Innovation Award
- INDO PACIFIC 2022 SME Innovation Award
- INDO PACIFIC 2022 Young Innovator Award
In addition, at the judges’ discretion, strong entries that didn’t win but are considered deserving could receive a High Commendation. All Award winners and those who are Highly Commended will receive a trophy, while the winners of the SME Innovation Award and the Young Innovator Award will also receive cheques for $15,000 each. All 15 entries for the Innovation Awards will be showcased at the INDO PACIFIC 2022 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney, the premier commercial maritime and naval defence exposition in the region.
INDO PACIFIC 2022 organiser AMDA Foundation launched the Innovation Awards ten years ago to recognise and reward local companies and individuals at the forefront of naval and maritime innovation. Since they were first presented in 2013, AMDA has presented Young Innovator and SME Innovation Awards to a total value of more than $425,000. The Awards go to AMDA Foundation’s altruistic purpose of promoting the development and growth of Australia’s industry capabilities in the fields of aviation, space, aerospace, defence, maritime and security. The Innovation Awards anticipated by several years the Government’s emphasis on establishing a strong, robust, innovative high technology defence and advanced manufacturing sector to help grow Australia’s economy and national security.
“These Awards underline the innovativeness of Australian companies and individuals, as well as the growing need for ‘smart’, innovative solutions to emerging operational challenges,” said Ian Honnery, Chief Executive of AMDA Foundation Limited. “We continually see smart Australian companies and researchers develop new technologies for their customers, both here in Australia and in export markets. This reflects well on both Australian industry and an emerging Australian innovation environment that ensures Australian R&D is being commercialised as products and services which strengthen both our industry and their customers, in particular the Royal Australian Navy.”
The INDO PACIFIC 2022 International Maritime Exposition will be held at Sydney’s International Convention Centre from 10 to 12 May 2022 and is supported by the Royal Australian Navy, the Government of New South Wales; and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA), Engineers Australia and the Institution for Marine Engineers, Science and Technology (IMarEST).
INDO PACIFIC 2022 INNOVATION AWARDS: SHORTLISTED ENTRIES
NATIONAL AND SME INNOVATION AWARDS:
• Advanced Navigation (NSW) – ‘Hydrus’ control system for uncrewed undersea vehicles using artificial neural network intelligence
• Blue Cats Australia (NSW) – ‘OneTag’ electrical isolation system for naval and merchant ship repair
• CBG Systems (TAS) – Rapid Access Composite (RAC) fire-resistant, non-combustible lightweight insulation panel for ships
• DMTC Limited (VIC) – Enhanced shipbuilding steel, developed in partnership with BlueScope Steel, the University of Wollongong and the Defence Science & Technology Group (DSTG)
• Innovaero (WA) – ‘Fox’ Maritime Uncrewed Aerial System (MUAS) and Optionally Piloted Aircraft Long-Endurance (OPAL) program
• PFG (TAS) – ‘Sentinel’ Littoral Manoeuvre Craft (LMC) manufactured from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
• Pivot Maritime International (TAS) – CONTAINERSIM full-mission 360o ship’s bridge simulator built into a standard ISO 20-foot shipping container
• Sentient Vision Systems (VIC) – ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging) Maritime Surveillance (VMS) pod for manned aircraft and helicopters
• UAM TEC (VIC) – Diver, camera, safety officer and supervisor networking in the underwater environment
YOUNG INNOVATOR AWARDS
• Mr Matthew Harrison (UAM TEC Pty Limited) (VIC) – Diver, camera, safety officer and supervisor networking in the underwater environment
• Mr Alex Murphy (Fugro Australia Maritime) (WA) – Lightweight, containerised and deployable command, control and communications (C3) and data gathering system for offshore exploration
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