Bridge-cleaning robot wins two Engineers Australia awards

A grit-blasting robot used to clean the Sydney Harbour Bridge has won two awards at the 2013 Engineers Australia Engineering Excellence Awards Sydney (EEAS).

The robotic technology, developed by the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), is a safer solution to other methods of bridge maintenance that can expose workers to hazardous lead-based paints.

The technology was also a finalist in this year’s Eureka Awards.

“This is a world-first robotic solution - one that operates autonomously even in awkward and complex steel bridge maintenance environments,” said Professor Dikai Liu, of the UTS Centre of Intelligent Mechatronic Systems.

“This robotic technology can be adapted to many other industries including steel fabrication, construction and cleaning.”

The UTS-RMS team was presented with awards in the ‘Control Systems and Communications’ and ‘Research and Development’ awards categories.

The technology has been commercialised with the formation of spin-off company Sabre Autonomous Solutions. The company has received a $680,000 Commercialisation Australia grant, plus an invitation to present at innovation and technology event Tech23.

“The launch of Sabre Autonomous Solutions will support bringing the robot technology onto the world stage and can be applied to a broad range of major infrastructure maintenance,” said UTS Executive Manager of Innovation and Commercial Development Martin Lloyd.

“The future looks promising for the new venture based on the number of international business enquiries we have already received.

“UTS always welcomes opportunities to collaborate with business and industry in finding innovative solutions to a wide range of problems.”