Closed ATM View - CFS 17178
ARMY ROBOTICS EXPOSITION 2021 (ARX 2021)
The use of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems is increasing and will fundamentally alter the way Defence organises, trains, prepares for, equips and ultimately fights in the future. The 2020 Defence Strategic Update highlights emerging and disruptive technology will be more prevalent in the future operating environment; identifying the need to develop artificial intelligence and augmented analytics in the next five years, and robotics, immersive technologies and quantum technologies in the next six to ten years. The 2020 Force Structure Plan identified the need to create a coordination office for the implementation of robotics and autonomous systems across the land force, as well as the acquisition of a fleet up to a brigade size of un-crewed systems including vehicles.
The Army RAS Strategy (https://researchcentre.army.gov.au/library/other/robotic-autonomous-systems-strategy) identifies five fields that Army will benefit from in its core deployed task. These are:
-Maximising Soldier Performance; through lightening the load physically and cognitively
- Improving Decision Making; through AI, data analytics and networks to make better sense of and understand the situation in conflict
- Generating Mass and Scalable Effects; through human-machine teaming, swarming technologies and optionally crewing platforms
- Force Protection; through removing soldiers from some of the most dangerous battlefield tasks including C-IED and CBRNE tasks
- Efficiency; through improving logistics, maintenance and medical effects utilising AI, data analytics, autonomy and leader-follower technologies.
The realisation of RAS will be underpinned by a number of emerging technologies including AI, quantum technologies, power and energy efficiency (both battery technology and hybrid), and building trust in autonomous systems, both physical and cyber.
Aim: Army is hosting the Army Robotics Exposition 2021 (ARX 2021) in the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre on 20 April 2021, to facilitate observation and demonstration of RAS concepts and technologies. ARX 2021 will provide an opportunity for Defence personnel including Capability Manager Delegates to view available technologies and innovations which may be applied to the future operating environment.
This Call for Submissions (CFS) comprises this Invitation, the Terms and the Assessment Criteria, Deed of Participation and the Process. Defence is seeking interested parties to respond to this CFS; summarising their relevant RAS technology and its potential application to Army's future operating environment. Successful applicants will be invited to display and potentially demonstrate their technology at the ARX 2021 in Brisbane.
Submissions are open to Australian Permanent Residents or Citizens only, and must hold an ABN.
Army Robotics Exposition 2021 (ARX 2021)
ARX 2021will be held at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre on 20 April 2021 in conjunction with the Chief of Army Symposium 2021, which begins the day prior. The ARX 2021 program will include: verbal presentations from the main stage, static displays and physical demonstrations of ground and air based robotic systems within a designated demonstration area. The event will be promoted through defence media channels and provides an excellent opportunity to build networks within Defence. The Deed of Participation terms (within these CFS Terms) will govern the Applicants’ participation at ARX 2021.
ARX 2021 is open to Defence personnel, Defence contractors, invited guests, Defence invited media. Invitations will be extended to the senior representatives from across technology and innovation groups within Defence.
There is no attendance entry fee for ARX 2021. Successful applicants will be required to self fund all travel, freight and demonstration costs of their technology for the purposes of ARX 2021 in line with the Deed of Participation.
Potential Applicants are encouraged to not respond to this CFS if their robotic technology does not have the potential for Defence applications, or cannot be sufficiently communicated to Defence audiences through visualisations (electronic media) or practical demonstrations. Similarly, no large platforms requiring a footprint bigger than 6m x 6m area are restricted from attending the event. An alternative for Potential Applications is to consider an innovation submission through the Defence Innovation Hub (DIH) portal as an unsolicited innovation proposal - Priority Innovation Notice at the following link: https://www.innovationhub.defence.gov.au/call-for-submissions/. Proposals submitted through this method at the DIH are less time constrained than time sensitive ARX 2021 submissions.
Submissions are open to Australian Permanent Residents or Citizens only, and must hold an ABN. Submissions not in accordance with the prescribed formats may not be progressed. Applicants which cannot participate in ARX 2021 at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre on 20 April 2021 will not be progressed. Applications received after closing time may not be progressed. Applications which do not address the specific criteria for RAS technologies may not be progressed. Applicants which are requesting display items or demonstration platforms larger than the 6m x 6m area are to express this within their submission for assessment by Defence.
Display and potential demonstration at ARX 2021 on 20 April 2021 at Brisbane Exhibition Centre.