Australian Centre for Field Robotics
The Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) is dedicated to the research and teaching of concepts relating to intelligent autonomous systems, at The University of Sydney in NSW, Australia. Originally established as an ARC Key Centre of Teaching and Research in 1999, it now forms part of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Systems, along with groups at the University of Technology, Sydney and the University of New South Wales.
Research direction
The Centre undertakes research in a broad range of areas related to the perception, control and learning capabilities of land, air and sea-based autonomous systems. Work at the ACFR is directed to the perception and systems aspects of this larger research area, specifically:
- Perception
- Sensor Construction and Deployment
- Sensor Representation
- Measurement in the presence of uncertainty
- Decentralised fusion (DDF) of data from disparate and/or dislocated sensors
- Systems
- Modelling of large-scale systems
- Design
Funding and affiliations
The Centre has close links with the Mechatronics and Intelligent Systems Group at UTS and the Artificial Intelligence and Mechatronics groups at UNSW. As an ARC Key Centre of Learning, it receives funding through the ARC from the NSW State Government. Additionally, significant linkages with and support from private enterprise result from partnerships and contracts with the Centre. These include:
- Australian Coal Association
- BAe Systems (formerly British Aerospace)
- Clark Equipment Australia
- CRA Pty. Ltd. (ATD, Perth)
- Komatsu Ltd. (Japan)
- Mount Isa Mines Ltd.
- NS Komatsu Pty. Ltd.
- NSW Road and Traffic Authority (Bridge Services)
- Patrick Stevedores Holdings Pty. Ltd.
- Rio Tinto (South Africa)
- Shell Australia Coal
- Thamesport Ltd. (UK)