UTS Tech Lab is more than a research facility; it’s a co-location powerhouse driving transformative innovation across space, defence, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
From space exploration to advanced manufacturing and telecommunications, UTS Tech Lab is not just a research facility, it’s a launchpad for innovation rewriting the nations technological narrative.
Kiriti Rambhatla – Metakosmos – Founder, CEO & CTO
A Revolutionary Model of Collaboration
At the heart of Tech Lab’s success is its pioneering co-location model. By bringing together Australian start-ups, SMEs, and multinational corporations under one roof, it provides unparalleled access to cutting-edge facilities, academic expertise, and a pipeline of emerging talent. This collaborative approach fosters the transformation of ambitious ideas into tangible innovations, driving Australia’s economic complexity and global competitiveness.
Advancing Australia’s Space Capabilities
The impact of UTS Tech Lab on Australia’s burgeoning space sector is profound. Take Advanced Navigation, Australia’s largest manufacturer of inertial navigation systems, as a prime example. In partnership with UTS researchers, the company developed the groundbreaking LUNA (Laser Measurement Unit for Navigational Aid) system, a critical innovation poised to support NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Beyond its applications in space, this collaboration is transforming LUNA into a commercially viable product, bolstering advancements in hardware, software, and algorithm development.
Improving Australia’s economic complexity and building sovereign capabilities requires bold action, says Chris Shaw, CEO and co-founder of Advanced Navigation. Collaborating with UTS has been instrumental in driving these advancements.
Space Machines Company & UTS Academic Team – Satellite Vibration Testing at UTS Tech Lab
Cross-Industry Synergies at Work
Tech Lab’s ability to foster cross-industry collaboration is exemplified by Space Machines Company (SMC), who is developing its Optimus Viper spacecraft at the facility. Designed for rapid-response intelligence and space asset protection, this innovative satellite highlights the power of combining academic expertise with cutting-edge industry technology. Optimus, SMC’s first spacecraft, drew on Advanced Navigation’s Boreas X90 inertial navigation system as well as co-located partner HEO’s Potoroo on-orbit inspection camera, further evidence of the collaborative synergies flourishing within Tech Lab’s ecosystem.
Collaborating with UTS and the broader Tech Lab ecosystem has been pivotal in Space Machines Company’s growth journey, said Rajat Kulshrestha, Space Machines Company CEO and co-founder. In a rapidly evolving sector like space, the power of collaboration between innovators and entrepreneurs is undeniable. Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of the local industry and unlocking new opportunities. UTS Tech Lab has become the home of this effort as we work to advance Australia’s space sector.
Beyond the stars, UTS Tech Lab played a key role in Nokia’s world-first 5G-connected microbrewery project in collaboration with Young Henrys Brewery. Leveraging Tech Lab’s advanced antenna testing chamber, Nokia refined its 5G capabilities, enabling the creation of an Industry 4.0 smart brewery that marries cutting-edge technology with sustainable beer production. These groundbreaking projects illustrate how Tech Lab fosters innovation across diverse sectors, from telecommunications to craft brewing.
Strengthening Defence Capabilities
Defence innovation is another cornerstone of UTS Tech Lab’s impact. Companies like Chaos1, a veteran-owned technology firm, are harnessing the potential of student interns, bridging the technical skills gap to support the development of Defence capability. The partnership not only addresses industry demand but also builds a pipeline of highly skilled, job-ready workers who have a heightened understanding of Defence capability challenges.
Harnessing academic talent through the co-location of our XLAB at UTS Tech Lab has been a game-changer for Chaos1, says Benny Johanson, Founder and CEO of Chaos1. Beyond advancing our technology, it’s about rapidly translating research into capability for Defence. The partnership with UTS has allowed us to focus the next generation of student talent on Defence capability needs, driving real-world, outcome-driven innovation. Integrating UTS students across multiple initiatives has been incredibly rewarding, allowing us to accelerate our growth through access to exceptional students who are now employees of Chaos1.
A Multidisciplinary Hub for Innovation
The breadth of expertise available at UTS Tech Lab is unparalleled. With capabilities spanning artificial intelligence, data science, civil engineering, advanced manufacturing, telecommunications, acoustics, robotics, and agritech, the lab attracts a diverse array of companies and industries. Whether refining AI models for smart infrastructure, advancing robotics in agritech, or pioneering acoustics solutions for defence and aerospace, UTS Tech Lab empowers businesses of all sizes to turn bold ideas into reality.
Dr Marc Carmichael working on the Nokia 5G Connected Cobot at UTS Tech Lab
Driving the Future of Innovation
At its core, UTS Tech Lab is redefining how collaboration happens. By bringing together leading companies like Advanced Navigation, Nokia, Space Machines Company, Metakosmos, VXB Aerospace, HEO, Forcys, and Chaos1 with top-tier academics, the lab shortens the journey from research to real-world application. This unique co-location model is a powerful engine for Australia’s push toward economic complexity and global competitiveness.
UTS Tech Lab is a living example of how innovation flourishes when industry, academia, and government unite. We are committed to strengthening Australia’s technological capabilities and driving global competitiveness through collaboration. Prof Michael Blumenstein, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business Creation and Major Facilities), UTS.
Whether it’s enabling lunar exploration, optimising defence capabilities, or brewing sustainable beer, UTS Tech Lab proves that innovation thrives when boundaries between industry and academia dissolve. As the global landscape evolves, UTS Tech Lab is not just keeping pace but setting the standard, fostering collaborations that will define Australia’s technological future.