Five cutting-edge specialist labs, including an assembly hub for electric flying vehicles, will be the focus of an innovation precinct at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett said the precinct, which will be at the Sippy Downs campus, will support the rapid design, prototyping and testing of advanced digital innovation.
“Delivered in partnership with industry, each lab will harness technology to address capability needs in priority areas: from cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and automated assembly to health and sustainable advances in water and energy,” she said.
“They will serve as a catalyst for industry-led economic growth for emerging and established businesses, backed with the expertise and guidance of UniSC.
“Access to the resources of these labs will allow businesses to undertake high-tech innovation without significant capital investment, and lower risks.
“It will create a talent pipeline, providing pathways for university students to engage with industry, contribute to next-generation projects and graduate with advanced skills to elevate our local workforce through technology.
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“This exciting $4.1 million upgrade to UniSC’s Innovation Centre is part of our vision to solve global problems by bringing UniSC staff and students together with industry partners to develop pioneering, sustainable research and technology solutions.
The funding for the project includes just over $2.7 million from the South-East Queensland Innovation Economy Fund grant and almost $1.4 million from UniSC and industry partners.
The five UniSC Innovation labs
- Digital Health Productivity Lab: To advance innovation in the aged care sector and improve the experience for older adults. It will drive efficiencies in healthcare and provide industry-facing opportunities for digital solutions for healthy ageing, anchored by a partnership with global technology company Cisco Systems.
- Digital Automated Assembly Lab: To support advanced manufacturing, particularly in automated assembly and robotics, enabling companies to produce high-end prototypes in small batches on the Sunshine Coast. In collaboration with Manufacturing Excellence Forum, it will serve as a final assembly hub for electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles.
- Connected Environments Lab: To focus on smart environmental monitoring solutions in areas such as energy management, waste reduction, water management and sustainability. In collaboration with a leading global environmental services provider the lab will leverage IoT and real-time data monitoring to drive sustainable innovation across industries.
- AI Computer Vision Lab: To facilitate breakthroughs in AI applications, including computer vision and data analytics. It will support research and commercialisation in AI, enhancing South East Queensland’s capacity for digital innovation.
- Cyber and Forensics Simulation Lab: To provide a controlled environment for training, upskilling, and real-world simulations, helping meet the needs of South East Queensland’s growing cyber security industry. It will be anchored with a partnership with Cybermerc and proposed partnerships with other cyber security firms.
UniSC Innovation Director Jasmine Vreugdenburg said each lab would be underpinned by a comprehensive activation strategy that included targeted support for startups and scaleups to develop their products, refine business models and connect with investors.
“They will be offered guidance and expertise to navigate the innovation process, from ideation to commercialisation,” she said.
“Workshops, seminars, and demonstrations will be tailored to connect them with UniSC’s resources.
“As well, cross-sector collaborative initiatives will bring together industry partners, researchers, and students to solve real-world problems.”
The upgrade will also establish a dedicated training facility with upgraded audio-visual facilities for program delivery, a revitalised event space and flexible, collaborative working and meeting spaces.
