I am a distinguished academic leader and one of Australia’s foremost authorities in robotics.My specialist area of expertise is autonomous field robotics, particularly developing systems of outdoor robots to provide cutting-edge solutions to problems in a vast array of industry applications, from agriculture to aeronautics, and environmental science to outer space.As Director of Tech Lab at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and former Head of School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, I lead transformative research and education to develop engineering solutions to meet the needs of tomorrow’s society and industry.Throughout my career I have operated at the nexus of academia, research and industry, collaborating with businesses and government organisations to deliver innovative solutions to many complex real-world challenges.Some highlights include:• Led work at UTS Tech Lab with co-location partner Space Machines Company that grew from two employees sharing space in the robotics lab to making history with the launch of the largest Australian-made satellite into orbit aboard a SpaceX transporter in March 2024.• Instrumental in Advanced Navigation opening an AI-driven autonomous robotics manufacturing facility at UTS Tech Lab.• Continue to work with Australian Wool Innovation on several projects at Tech Lab to blend AI and automation into wool handling.• I was the initial Chief Technology Officer at SwarmFarm Robotics, Australia’s most successful developer of autonomous robots for agriculture.• While at the University of Sydney I designed algorithms for a flight planning system now used to plan the routes of every Qantas flight worldwide since 2017.• Headed ground-breaking research at the University of Sydney to demonstrate the first successful use of drones to radio track live birds which led to the 2016 founding of the successful Wildlife Drones business.Throughout my career I have served as director, chair and co-chair on many industry and academic organisations, boards and committees.I have had the great honour of graduating 20 of the best and brightest PhD students who now lead outstanding work in field robotics, mechanical/mechatronic engineering and autonomous systems.My work and I have regularly featured on TV, radio, podcasts, and in newspaper and magazine articles, including on ABC’s flagship 7.30 program, the Weekend Australian, and internationally on the BBC.Since 1999 I have given hundreds of talks and presentations on robotics and its myriad industry applications both in Australia and around the world.