Australia’s manufacturing sector will be a key focus of a national robotics and artificial intelligence initiative, with ARM Hub set to launch Propel-AIR 2.0 in Brisbane on 17 February.
Federal Minister for Industry and Science Tim Ayres will officially launch the program at ARM Hub, as part of a day-long showcase bringing together robotics innovators, researchers and industry leaders to highlight applications for manufacturing and other sectors.
In a media release, ARM Hub said Propel-AIR 2.0 aims to accelerate Australian AI-enabled robotics ventures from research and development through to commercial deployment, particularly in areas such as advanced manufacturing, resources, agriculture, healthcare and energy.
MassRobotics team members will travel from Boston to attend the launch as part of a week-long collaborative visit with ARM Hub, reflecting an ongoing partnership between the two organisations.
“Propel-AIR 2.0 comes at a pivotal time for Australia’s sovereign robotics and AI capability,” said ARM Hub CEO and founder Cori Stewart.
“We’re bringing together the full spectrum of Australia’s robotics ecosystem. From cutting-edge research to commercial deployment, this day demonstrates the depth of innovation happening across the country.”
The program is delivered through ARM Hub’s AI Adopt Centre under the Australian Government’s AI Adopt Program, which is designed to connect emerging robotics companies with industry customers, global partners and investors.
Live demonstrations at the event will include QUT’s automated banana de-handing system and The Fish Girl’s commercial robotics platform, alongside other technologies described by ARM Hub as having potential to transform manufacturing and agriculture.
Melbourne-based NexoBot founder Dominic Lindsay, winner of the inaugural Propel-AIR program, said international collaboration had been critical to his company’s development following a recent residency at MassRobotics in Boston.
“What really stood out is how important it is to have ecosystems like ARM Hub; with this we can develop solutions that deliver for an Australian context,” Lindsay said.
A robotics and commercialisation roundtable will also be held, featuring representatives from MassRobotics, Australian innovators and industry practitioners. Minister Ayres will launch Propel-AIR 2.0 at 11:30am, joined by the MassRobotics delegation and representatives from NVIDIA, which ARM Hub said reflects the program’s global market ambitions.
The winning team in the 2026 program, to be announced in July, will receive a month-long exchange at MassRobotics in Boston, including visits to organisations such as Boston Dynamics and MIT, as well as mentorship from MassRobotics experts.
Entries for Propel-AIR 2.0 open on 17 February, with ARM Hub stating the program is open to Australian startups and entrepreneurs developing AI and robotics solutions, particularly those with applications in manufacturing and industrial sectors.
For more information, visit www.aiadopt.ai/propel-air.
