Australia opens aerospace automation centre 1 November 2010 The Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation (ARCAA) has been opened in Brisbane, near the international airport. The research centre is a joint project developed by Queensland University of Technology and the independent statutory authority, the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). This innovative Centre is developing the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Target scientific and civilian applications include aerospace automation research, environmental data collection, crop monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and low-altitude atmospheric research. The Queensland State Minister for Economic Development, Andrew Fraser, said that while there were UAV research centres in other parts of the world such as the US and the UK, the Australian centre was unique in its focus on civilian applications. “There are currently very few civilian applications for UAVs compared to defence usage, but there are enormous commercial opportunities, including stock, pest and weeds monitoring and inspecting power lines,” Mr Fraser said. More information |