A new Training Centre will develop automated vehicle technology for rural and remote regions.
ARC Academic Director, Professor Steven Weller speaking at the official launch of the ARC Training Centre for Automated Vehicles in Rural and Remote Regions (AVR3).
The ARC Training Centre for Automated Vehicles in Rural and Remote Regions (AVR3) has officially launched at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). The Centre brings together researchers, industry partners, and government to find practical ways to improve transport outside Australia's major cities.
Supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC), AVR3 involves 6 universities and 18 industry partners. The Centre has received over $5 million in ARC funding, with additional contributions from participating institutes and industry collaborators. Its mission is to develop automated vehicle solutions that are safe, reliable, and effective in the diverse conditions found outside Australia's metropolitan areas.
While much of the conversation about emerging technologies centres on urban environments, many Australians live and work in areas where transport is complex and connectivity limited. Long distances, rough terrain, and sparse infrastructure are everyday realities for people in the regions. AVR3 aims to address these challenges by developing solutions that meet local needs and improve access, safety and efficiency.
Collaboration is at the heart of AVR3's approach. By bringing together experts from academia, industry, and government, the Centre is well-positioned to tackle real-world problems from multiple angles. It also offers hands-on training for students and early-career researchers, helping to build the skills needed for the future of transport in Australia.
The Centre's work has the potential to deliver a wide range of benefits - from helping farmers transport goods more efficiently from farm-to-market to enabling faster delivery of medical supplies to remote health clinics. The Centre's research is focused on practical outcomes with the aim of making life easier and safer for people living in rural and remote areas.
ARC Academic Director of Engineering, Information and Computing Sciences Professor Steven Weller proudly represented the agency at the launch.
'The best research is grounded in reality, designed for the messy, unpredictable, and uniquely Australian challenges we face. That's exactly what AVR3 is doing,' he said.
The launch of AVR3 is part of a broader commitment to research and innovation across Australia. In the coming year, the ARC will invest nearly $1 billion in research projects nationwide. By focusing on the needs of regional communities, AVR3ensures that technology advances benefit all Australians.
Learn more about the Training Centre: AVR3 wesbite
