Deakin teams with world leading defence firm

ROBOTICS and rapid immersive training will be the features of a new agreement sign by Deakin University with world-leading US defence company General Dynamics.
Deakin’s Centre for Intelligent Systems Research (CISR) will collaborate with General Dynamics Information Technology to improve its advanced robotics and simulation capabilities.
The collaborative framework is centred on future research and development collaborations that will take advantage of CISR’s expertise in haptic technology and General Dynamics IT’s specialty in rapid graphical training environments, providing capacity for rapid immersive training scenarios in the defence, healthcare and commercial sectors.
Deakin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Lee Astheimer and General Dynamics IT Senior Vice President of the Defense Solutions Division Al Whitmore signed the collaborative framework agreement at a ceremony in Fairfax, Virginia.
“From Deakin’s perspective, General Dynamics IT is a perfect fit for expanding our capabilities in advanced robotics and simulation into an international market,” Professor Astheimer said.
“We look forward to working with General Dynamics IT to engage new industries and communities where our research can have impact and make a difference.”
CISR Director Professor Saeid Nahavandi said joint projects would begin with the Haptically-Enabled Hot Fire Trainer program, which was developed for use by the United States and Australian Defence Departments, nuclear industry and fire fighters.
The program enables trainees to experience realistic training scenarios in a safe synthetic environment.
“The Hot Fire Trainer can accurately present heat, jet reaction and step-up forces along with sound and visuals to immerse a trainee in a real house, car, boat or aircraft fire,” Professor Nahavandi said.