Robotics experts led by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have become the first Australian team to place in the top two in a world-leading robotics competition.
In a statement, the Organisation said the Subterranean Challenge, organised by the US Government’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), spanned a three-year period and was designed to push the boundaries of autonomous robotic technology.
“Scientists were tasked with remotely running the robots in an underground environment that simulated a real-world scenario,” the CSIRO said.
“This included locating models representing lost or injured humans, backpacks, or phones, as well as variable conditions such as pockets of gas,” it said.
The CSIRO said the Challenge culminated in a final event earlier this month which was held inside the Louisville Mega Cavern in Louisville, Kentucky, US.
“Made up of members from CSIRO’s Data61, CSIRO spin-out robotics company Emesent, and the Georgia Institute of Technology, the team competed under the name CSIRO’s Data61 and won the preliminary round before being awarded second in the final circuit,” it said.
“The six autonomous robots from team CSIRO’s Data61 located and reported back on items and environmental conditions throughout three underground courses built inside the Louisville Mega Cavern.
It said points were awarded for correct identification and location of items; mapping the terrain; and maintaining autonomy and communications throughout the event.
Robotics group leader for the CSIRO and CSIRO’s Data61 team leader, Navinda Kottege said CSIRO’s Data61 was the first Australian team to place in the top two at a DARPA robotics challenge.
