INTHEBLACK October 2026 - Magazine - Page 45
Australia has strong robotics
expertise that could elevate the
technology from niche use to
core economic infrastructure and
boost productivity, innovation
and competitiveness nationwide.
Falling robot costs and
robotics-as-a-service models
are making adoption easier, but
finance leaders must evaluate
ROI, risks and governance to
invest responsibly.
Boosting procurement,
improving supply chains
and leveraging strengths
in field robotics and remote
environments will strengthen
the robotics ecosystem.
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Although lacking the airplay
of its blockbuster cousin, artificial
intelligence, robotics has huge
potential to change the nature
of Australian businesses and
their finance teams.
Words Alexandra Cain
AUSTRALIA HAS BEEN BUILDING
world-class robotics capability for decades.
From Rio Tinto’s colossal autonomous
trains — some of the world’s largest
robots — to cutting-edge field robots,
the nation has quietly become one of the
world’s most experienced operators
of large-scale autonomous systems.
Now, as machines continue to move
from the mine site into everyday business
operations, a bigger opportunity is emerging:
for finance leaders willing to think beyond
automation, robotics is capable of lifting
productivity, unlocking new revenue and
reshaping the future of industry.
To appreciate the potential of the
Australian robotics industry, it is important
to understand that robots can do more than
replace human work. The country has an
opportunity to move from viewing robotics
as a niche technology to positioning it as
vital economic infrastructure.
“We have had industrial robotics since
the 1960s — for example, large robot arms
on factory floors that might help with
building a car,” says University of NSW
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute director,
Dr Sue Keay. “Australia is strong in field
robotics, which is a type of service robot
you mainly find outside. There are also
around 1000 autonomous load-haulage
vehicles operating mainly in West Australian
iron ore mines. They are very big, self-driving
trucks, but they are a form of robot.”
With this pedigree, Australia already
produces the robotics of the future.
“We are moving away from static robots
from the industrial era, kept separate from
humans to safely operate, into this more
dynamic environment,” Keay continues.
“Robots are now moving around and they
have to be able to make decisions in
real time. Increasingly, they also must
operate safely side-by-side with humans.”
For Australia to build up its robotics
ecosystem, governments and major businesses
need to buy from emerging robotics
companies to build the local industry.
ROBOTS IN THE FINANCE TEAM
Finance leaders need to take a considered
view of what robotics means for their
operations. Capital allocation, cost structures,
procurement models, workforce planning,
risk management and performance
measurement are just a few things to consider.
“There are lots of ways we can use this
technology,” says David Howard, group
leader for robotic design and interaction
at the Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
“But for it to function in an economy,
it needs to have that ROI piece to it.
“Robots do not cost A$250,000 anymore.
They cost A$25,000, and when a robot
costs A$25,000, it is more palatable as an
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