Boeing Partners with Queensland Government on Autonomous Vehicle Research
During the next three years, this rapid innovation program will see Boeing develop next-generation autonomous systems capability in Australia to increase the independent operation of air and sea vehicles.
Boeing announced March 1 a new partnership agreement with the Queensland government in Australia, saying that because of it, Australia will be home to Boeing's largest autonomous systems development program outside of the United States. During the next three years, this rapid innovation program will see Boeing develop next-generation autonomous systems capability in Australia to increase the independent operation of air and sea vehicles.
Chris Raymond, vice president and general manager of Boeing's Autonomous Systems, said the Queensland program is part of Boeing's global growth strategy to accelerate game-changing autonomous technology for commercial and defense systems. "As autonomy becomes increasingly common, Boeing will continue to pioneer autonomous technologies from seabed to space, setting a new standard for safe, successful missions that amplify human capabilities," Raymond said.
Shane Arnott, director of Boeing's Phantom Works International business in Australia, said, the Queensland government's "clear vision to invest in cutting-edge industries is backed by a progressive air space regulator, the state's innovation culture, and a talented network of local suppliers, creating an outstanding environment to innovate and experiment with autonomous vehicles and the systems and sensors that drive them. Boeing will work with small-to-medium sized Queensland businesses to develop transformative 'brain-on-board' technology," Arnott added. "Our program will complement the work undertaken by the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre, taking research outcomes and developing them into exportable commercial products for the global autonomous market."