The University of Canberra and OMRON Automation and Robotics Oceania today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance collaboration in robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital twin technology and advanced manufacturing, strengthening Canberra’s position as a growing hub for intelligent automation and future-ready workforce development.
The agreement formalises a strategic partnership that has been developing over the past year and has already seen OMRON’s latest robotics, AI and industrial automation technologies incorporated into the University’s Collaborative Robotics Lab (CRL).
At the signing ceremony, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor The Honourable Bill Shorten and Professor Damith Herath welcomed Henry Zhou, Managing Director of OMRON Oceania; Luat Nguyen, Head of Robotics; Allan Leung, State Manager NSW & ACT; and Shin Takakusagi, First Secretary and Science Attaché at the Embassy of Japan in Australia.
Professor Shorten said the partnership would strengthen Canberra’s growing reputation as a centre for robotics systems, intelligent automation and advanced manufacturing while helping develop the future workforce needed to support Australia’s next generation of industry.
“With the powerful combination of research capability, government proximity and industry collaboration, Canberra is uniquely positioned to become the country’s heartland for robotics and systems innovation,” Professor Shorten said.
“UC’s partnership with OMRON is built on a shared vision of developing a future-ready workforce, while advancing the technologies that will shape the future of manufacturing, logistics and automation.
“When research, education, industry expertise and cutting-edge technology come together in this way, I believe the potential for what we can achieve is limitless.”
Henry Zhou, Managing Director of OMRON Oceania, said the partnership reflects OMRON’s long-term commitment to supporting Australia’s future advanced manufacturing ecosystem and workforce capability.
“OMRON is proud to partner with the University of Canberra to help bridge industry and academia in areas that are critical to Australia’s future competitiveness.
“This collaboration brings together advanced robotics, AI, automation and digital twin technologies to help develop practical innovation pathways from research and prototyping through to industrial deployment.
“As advanced manufacturing rapidly evolves, partnerships like this are essential to building a future-ready workforce with the practical skills needed for increasingly digital and automated industries.”
Shin Takakusagi, First Secretary and Science Attaché at the Embassy of Japan in Australia, said the collaboration reflects the strong and growing partnership between Japan and Australia in science, technology and innovation.
“The partnership between the University of Canberra and OMRON represents an excellent example of how Japanese technology and Australian research institutions can work together to drive innovation and industrial transformation.
“We look forward to seeing this partnership contribute to the future of advanced manufacturing, AI and robotics collaboration between Japan and Australia.”
The three-year MoU will drive collaboration across robotics research, advanced manufacturing innovation, workforce development and strategic industry engagement, helping strengthen Australia’s future capabilities in intelligent automation and digital manufacturing.
Research and applied innovation will form a major focus of the collaboration, with both organisations aiming to translate emerging technologies into real-world industrial outcomes.
“The initial focus will be on robotics, AI, automation for logistics and warehousing, and digital twin-enabled industrial systems, with the longer-term vision of establishing a jointly supported innovation hub within UC’s Collaborative Robotics Lab,” said Professor Herath.
“Our OMRON partners have already introduced us to a number of industry collaborators with compelling real-world challenges, creating strong opportunities for future research grants, applied projects and commercial innovation.”
Luat Nguyen, Head of Robotics at OMRON Oceania, said the partnership represents an opportunity to help shape future-ready industrial skills while accelerating innovation in intelligent automation.
“Through this partnership, students and researchers will gain hands-on access to industrial robotics, autonomous mobile robots, machine automation systems and digital twin environments that closely mirror modern manufacturing operations.
“By combining academic research with practical industrial technology, we can help accelerate innovation while building workforce capability for Australia’s rapidly evolving automation sector.”
Left to Right: #1.Dr Maryam Ghahramani, Senior Lecturer, University of Canberra (UC) #2 Dr Maleen Jayasuriya, Lecturer UC #3 Professor Damith Herath, Founding Director of the Collaborative Robotics Lab, UC #4 Henry Zhou, Managing Director, OMRON Automation and Robotics Oceania (OMRON) #5 Professor The Honourable Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor and President, UC #6 Luat Nguyen, Head of Robotics, OMRON #7 Associate Professor Janie Busby Grant, Psychology Research Lead, Collaborative Robotics Lab, UC 8# Allan Leung, Allan Leung, ACT,NSW/WA State Manager, OMRON #9 Shin Takakusagi, First Secretary and Science Attaché at the Embassy of Japan Australia.
The partnership has already influenced curriculum development within the Faculty of Science and Technology, with OMRON experts contributing directly to the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Intelligent Robotics through the Faculty’s Course Advisory Group.
Using digital twin technology, students begin training within simulated industrial environments before transitioning to physical OMRON industrial hardware, including Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), robotic systems and advanced automation platforms.
Under the partnership, University of Canberra engineering students will also gain access to internships, mentoring opportunities, and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements with industry.
The collaboration is also expected to strengthen Canberra’s growing innovation ecosystem and support national priorities in advanced manufacturing, AI and automation.
Left to Right: #1.Henry Zhou, Managing Director of OMRON Automation and Robotics Oceania #2 Professor The Honourable Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Canberra, and former Leader of the Australian Labor Party
About the University of Canberra
The University of Canberra (UC) is an integral part of Canberra, Australia’s capital, and deeply-connected with industry, business, government and community. This shapes UC’s vision to become one of the most accessible universities in Australia. It is devoted to trail-blazing innovation and research with practical impact, while creating and equipping a future-ready workforce. Learning and teaching at UC is developed to meet industry needs in real time, and students build industry ties even before graduating.
About the University of Canberra, Collaborative Robotics Lab
The Collaborative Robotics Lab is a unique and dynamic research environment that sits at the intersection of multiple disciplines, embracing a multi-, inter-, intra-, and trans-disciplinary approach. It brings together innovative thinkers from Engineering, Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, Health, Arts, and Design sectors. This unique blend of expertise enables the research team to tackle complex challenges in robotics from multiple perspectives, fostering creativity and driving breakthrough solutions.
About OMRON Automation and Robotics Oceania
OMRON is a global leader in automation, robotics, and smart manufacturing solutions, empowering businesses to solve societal challenges through innovation. With over 90 years of global expertise and 38 years of local presence in Australia and New Zealand, OMRON supports manufacturers in food & beverage, medical & pharmaceutical, logistics, agriculture, and education, delivering tailored automation solution to meet evolving business needs. For more information, please visit:
OMRON Automation and Robotics Australia
OMRON Automation and Robotics Australia Store
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