Accelerating Industry 4.0 in WA

Emerging technologies in i4.0, which involve innovations in artificial intelligence, digitalisation, computation, big data, sensors, advanced robotics, and automation are transforming the workplace. FundWA predicts further major development in these areas, and most importantly, integration of technologies across entire sectors.

If WA is to compete in global markets, the State must collaborate more effectively across industries to build the critical mass capable of supporting this transformation. This can be achieved by bringing together currently successful sectors such as the mining, oil & gas, transport, agriculture, fisheries, mid-tech, METS, and education sectors to establish an i4.0 capability hub. These hubs (or precincts) would work across industries to deliver transformational research and development, innovation, and implementation to benefit Western Australian society.

WA is a world leader in remote operations. The mining and LNG sectors have developed remarkable capabilities to manage major facilities thousands of kilometres away. The ability to manage autonomous vehicles, sensors, and advanced robotic equipment remotely, including utilisation of space capabilities, is at the cutting edge of i4.0 technologies. For example, Woodside is collaborating with NASA on remote operations of advanced robotics, sensors, and automation in harsh environments.

The State and Commonwealth Governments, in collaboration with industry and academia, have recently jointly established the Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE) and Space Automation, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics Control Complex (SpAARCC) in Perth to build on this capability. In addition, the WA Government has created the Automation and Robotics Precinct in Neerabup for testing, research and development, and training in autonomous vehicles, remote operations, and robotic systems and equipment.

With these technologies, WA could be running mining activities in Africa, Asia, or the Americas from the CBD. Comparable technological capacity could be used to provide health and education across the globe – all from WA. It is conceivable that hospital patients in other countries could be monitored in this State – this model has already been employed by Emory University Hospital (Atlanta, Georgia, USA) who’s staff have monitored ICU patients during the night shift from a facility in Royal Perth Hospital. Similarly, the education sector could be providing remote learning opportunities for students internationally. These initiatives are nascent and while WA has opportunities in this area, it is imperative that we turn them into competitive advantages, before other nations develop comparable capabilities.

The State also has considerable data analytic capability. The Pawsey High Performance Computing Centre has the largest research supercomputer in the Southern Hemisphere. It was initially established to handle the massive volumes of data being generated by the Square Kilometre Array, the world’s largest radiotelescope being constructed in the Murchison. Similarly, Down Under Geosolutions possesses the most powerful commercial supercomputing facility in the southern hemisphere. Originally designed for seismic analyses, this facility is now being used for a variety of different data analytic projects. Complementing these capabilities are the Cybersecurity strengths that have emerged in recent years.

WA has unique resource endowments, business and research capabilities, a skilled workforce, and regulatory conditions which can be leveraged to develop new industrial capabilities and promote market diversity along all value chains. Embracing the use of digital technologies in Australia’s resources industries could, if well managed, add $74b in value to the Australian economy, in regions and cities, and create over 80,000 new jobs by 2030 (AlphaBeta 2019).

Industry 4.0 technologies that are expected to have the most profound impact on your organization

There is significant overlap in the foundational technologies and capabilities that will support the future productivity gains of the resources sector. While the industry-specific tasks will vary, there are common elements in sensors, communication, predictive maintenance, machine vision, robotic control systems, and the core capabilities of people who develop and utilise these technologies. The hub will provide a focal point for better coordination of existing capabilities between industries, technology suppliers, Governments, Universities, and research institutions.

The i4.0 hub will respond to the currently fragmented and diffused efforts by providing a platform for an integrated ecosystem that supports productivity of the resource and agricultural sectors, as well as other industries. This will enhance the ability to export digital products and services, thereby supporting the transformation of WA’s current industries. FundWA Team envisages that these broad, cross-cutting technological platforms will be central to transforming WA’s industrial base.