This Friday marks the last chance to submit your interest in the Smart Innovation Centre , which aims to shape the future of smart transport and autonomous vehicles in New South Wales, and potentially across Australia more broadly.
Transport for NSW’s new Smart Innovation Centre in Western Sydney was announced for in April 2016. Expressions of interest from interested individuals and organisations are due Friday 10 June 2016.
The aim for the centre is to become an incubator for commercial and academic partners wanting to maximise the potential for their technology innovations. Expression of Interest seeks to discover how best this can occur. This includes those looking to participate in the governance of the centre and those looking to invest or collaborate on future transport technology research projects.
Transport for NSW is specifically calling for members for an Executive Advisory Board, including those with expertise in ‘transport technology and emerging technologies.’ A partnership program will also be established with expressions requested for three key areas: ‘Vehicle testing’, ‘Pilots and Demonstrations’ and ‘Collaborative Research Projects.’
In announcing the centre, the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said the new centre will be a world-class innovation incubator that will maximise opportunities for industry, investors, researchers, government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, technology providers and data analysts.
“This Government is not prepared to sit around waiting for someone else to come up with the next big innovation around technologies for connected transport – we want to be a part of it,” Mr Constance said.
“The centre will also help us understand how we need to plan and build road and transport infrastructure to prepare for future technology.
“Partnerships with local and international experts will be vital to the success of the Smart Innovation Centre.
“We are calling for expressions of interest from industry, investors and academics to bring visionary commercial and technical expertise to our world leading centre.”
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Duncan Gay said this wasn’t just about future technology for infrastructure – but also about the future of automated vehicles in Australia.
“To prepare for the arrival of automated vehicles in the Australian car market, we’re working closely with our federal and interstate counterparts examining the necessary legislative, regulatory and road design changes – we want to get this right.
“This hub is going to support and optimise the outcomes of the introduction of automated vehicles as well as look at solutions for congestion and road safety.”
The Smart Innovation Centre will be based at the existing Crashlab in Western Sydney, which will be transformed in the process. It is expected that the centre will be fully operational by mid-2017.
Organisations or individuals wishing to lodge an expression of tnterest should set out their credentials and the area/s of involvement proposed and send their EOI by email by Friday 10 June 2016 to: smartinnovationcentre@transport.nsw.gov.au
For further information, visit http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/smartinnovationcentre.