Finalists have been announced for Australia’s first dedicated AI and robotics sprint, Propel-AIR, a national initiative aimed at fast-tracking emerging innovators in the field.
Delivered by ARM Hub in partnership with the Australian Government through the AI Adopt Centre program, the accelerator has drawn strong interest from across the country’s robotics and AI ecosystem.
Six companies have been named as finalists in the inaugural cohort, selected for their potential to scale innovative technologies across industries including agriculture, logistics, ocean research, space exploration, and advanced manufacturing.
“Propel-AIR’s finalist cohort shows the world Australia isn’t just dreaming of a robotics future, we’re building it right now,” said ARM Hub CEO Dr Cori Stewart.
“Every team will get the runway to scale fast, and the ultimate winner will plug straight into MassRobotics in Boston, taking Aussie ingenuity from Brisbane to the heart of global innovation.”
Finalists include Seascape Autonomy, which has developed an autonomous underwater robot for imaging the ocean floor; Element Robotics, creator of a digital twin platform for lunar mission training; Nexobot, a low-cost parcel sorting system aimed at enabling automation for regional logistics; and J Robotics, which is using ultraviolet light technology to treat grapevines for mildew without chemicals.
Also selected are Inneurva, which is developing Robotic AI Skin to give machines a sense of touch for safer and more intuitive interactions, and Traversal Labs, whose AI-powered MotionLogic platform analyses video from industrial environments to improve efficiency and ergonomics.
The Propel-AIR program provides finalists with business development support, including access to venture capital mentoring, product-market fit assessments, and promotional opportunities through ARM Hub’s AI Adopt Centre.
The accelerator concludes with a virtual pitch event on 31 July, with the winner to be announced on 4 August.
The overall winner will receive a four-week residency at MassRobotics in Boston, providing exposure to global leaders in robotics and AI, including companies such as Boston Dynamics and iRobot, and access to academic institutions including MIT and Harvard.
Propel-AIR is claimed as the first program of its kind in Australia, designed to rapidly advance local capabilities in AI and robotics, with ARM Hub encouraging all applicants to continue engaging with the AI Adopt Centre in future rounds.
