Robotics Australia Group confirms Laing O’Rourke and John Holland as construction industry sponsors

Leading constructors Laing O’Rourke and John Holland will help lead the future of robotics by working with local developers on emerging technologies to improve productivity and safety.

The Tier 1 builders will sponsor Robotics Australia Group (RAG) and help mature Australian-made robotics and automation products and businesses. As part of an open innovation model, each will work with local robotics developers and suppliers to test and integrate emerging solutions which enhance productivity, certainty, and safety in the construction sector.

Dr Sue Keay, Chair of RAG, said, “It is critical for the Australian robotics supply chain to have industry support and involvement in their product development, in refining and validating potential use cases, and in raising awareness of the technology. Laing O’Rourke and John Holland are great examples of this type of involvement, and we are thrilled to have them as our construction sponsors for the following year."

Dr Regan Crooks, Director of Strategy, Transformation and Innovation at Laing O’Rourke, said, “We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Robotics Australia Group for the third year in a row.”

“Robotic and automation technologies can help us to significantly improve the construction industry and make it more resilient and sustainable. We recognise the transformative potential of technology and innovation in construction, and we are committed to fostering an environment where innovation can thrive,” she added.

Laing O’Rourke has been a long-standing sponsor of RAG since its inception and has supported its industry roadmaps for Australia in 2018 and 2022, which preceded the development of the Australian National Robotics Strategy.

Ron Azzi, Group General Manager, Technology, Engineering & Knowledge (TEK) at John Holland, said, “Delivering nation-shaping projects requires relentless innovation technical excellence, and smart solutions. By working together with RAG, we can accelerate the adoption of robotics in the construction industry, contributing to a more efficient and sustainable future.”

“Since 2018, the John Holland TEK team has been focusing on innovation and enablement, with the aim of speeding up the discovery, testing, and scaling of smart solutions for our industry. The integration of robotics and automation, including drones, AI developments and applications are key to our vision of a smarter, more efficient future.”

RAG continues to play a crucial role in giving visibility to the Australian robotics industry and will be instrumental in advancing the sector through the development of an upcoming industry roadmap. This roadmap will outline the next steps for the robotics sector, following the recent publication of the National Robotics Strategy, offering guidance for the future of robotics in Australia.