# Australian Robotics Industry Welcomes AI-Powered Platform to Drive Automation Adoption
Australia’s manufacturing sector continues to trail other industrialized nations in robotic deployment, with the latest data showing just 134 robots for every 10,000 manufacturing workers compared to a global average of 162. Now, a new collaboration between HowToRobot and Robotics Australia Group aims to close that gap by introducing an artificial intelligence-driven platform tailored specifically for Australian businesses.
## A Smarter Way to Start Automation Projects
Many organizations struggle to take the first steps toward automation because they lack the internal resources, technical knowledge, and executive support needed to move forward. According to Søren Peters, who founded and leads HowToRobot, the newly updated platform is designed to address exactly that problem. By leveraging AI to help businesses articulate their automation needs, the system allows companies to develop compelling project proposals much faster than traditional methods — which can take well over a year when relying solely on in-house engineering teams.
The goal is to give decision-makers a clear, costed proposal they can present to leadership. Instead of spending months researching and estimating, a manager could walk into a boardroom with a ready-to-execute brief requesting a specific budget, such as $200,000, to automate a particular process.
## A Homegrown Approach for the Australian Market
HowToRobot explored various international markets before settling on Australia as a key focus. After sharing its upgraded platform with the national robotics association, the organization expressed strong interest in a localized version. The result is a country-specific deployment that accounts for Australia’s unique industrial landscape, regulatory environment, and supplier ecosystem.
Robotics Australia Group itself was established to strengthen the nation’s robotics and automation sector. It serves as a connector for developers, researchers, system integrators, manufacturers, adopters, educators, investors, and government bodies. The group has published multiple editions of an Australian Robotics Roadmap and played a role in shaping the country’s National Robotics Strategy, which projects that broader automation adoption could contribute between $170 billion and $600 billion annually to Australia’s GDP by the end of the decade.
“Manufacturers here need help making smarter investment decisions before committing funds — identifying the right opportunities, building a solid business case, and assembling the right team of solution providers,” said Paul Mason, who heads the Robotics Australia Group.
## AutomationFinder.com.au: Features and Capabilities
The newly launched platform, AutomationFinder.com.au, serves as a centralized national resource for automation buyers and suppliers alike. It operates on a subscription model and offers several core functions:
– **AI-assisted project scoping** — Local engineers can input their operational challenges, and the platform helps structure those needs into professional-grade project briefs ready to share with suppliers.
– **Access to a vetted global supplier network** — More than 20,000 pre-qualified solution providers are available through the system, with approximately 500 based in Australia.
– **Cost and feasibility feedback** — Users receive real-world market insights on pricing, technical viability, and concept recommendations drawn from over 600 completed automation projects worldwide.
– **Expert consultations** — A panel of independent automation specialists is available for hands-on engagement across Australian industries.
– **Supplier comparison and selection tools** — Businesses can evaluate quotes, compare vendors, and finalize contracts all within the platform.
HowToRobot emphasized that the platform operates in a vendor-neutral manner, drawing from a diverse mix of large international manufacturers, local integrators, and emerging startups. This ensures that recommendations are based on fit rather than commercial relationships.
## Building a National Pipeline of Automation Projects
Unlike a simple marketplace, the platform functions as an infrastructure layer for the entire discovery and procurement journey. Peters described it as a system that retains institutional knowledge, allowing companies to revisit earlier ideas months down the line. For example, if a firm explored robotic palletizing but didn’t move forward on that initiative, the platform remembers that context and can circle back when packaging needs change.
Looking ahead, Peters envisions scaling this model to other regions and countries. He noted that governments around the world have launched ambitious robotics initiatives, yet many struggle to translate strategy into action across numerous individual projects. By creating a persistent, collective record of what businesses are considering — anonymized and aggregated at the national level — the platform could help policymakers and industry leaders identify broad trends and prioritize investments more effectively.
Accessibility remains a priority. Peters stressed that the platform is built to serve small businesses alongside large enterprises, prioritizing local integrators over distant consultants to foster trust between buyers and sellers.
## Frequently Asked Questions
**What is AutomationFinder.com.au?**
It is a subscription-based, AI-powered platform designed to help Australian businesses identify automation opportunities, create structured project proposals, and connect with pre-qualified suppliers — both domestic and international.
**Who can use the platform?**
The service is available to businesses of all sizes, from small operations to large enterprises, across a wide range of manufacturing and industrial sectors.
**How does the AI component work?**
The platform uses artificial intelligence to guide engineers and decision-makers through a structured process of describing their automation needs. It transforms raw operational challenges into supplier-ready project briefs, significantly reducing the time and expertise required to prepare a proposal.
**Is the platform tied to specific equipment vendors?**
No. The system is vendor-neutral, sourcing from a global network of over 20,000 vetted suppliers that includes multinational corporations, local integrators, and startups.
**How does the platform handle cost estimation?**
Users receive real market feedback on pricing and feasibility based on data from more than 600 completed automation projects around the world, as well as direct quotes from the supplier network.
**What role does Robotics Australia Group play?**
Robotics Australia Group operates the localized version of the platform in Australia, leveraging HowToRobot’s underlying technology and adapting it to the national context. The group also provides a network of independent automation experts for hands-on support.
**Are there plans to expand beyond Australia?**
Yes. HowToRobot’s founder has indicated that the company is already in contact with other associations and countries interested in deploying the platform for their own markets.
## Conclusion
The partnership between HowToRobot and Robotics Australia Group represents a significant step forward for Australian automation. By lowering the barriers to entry — removing the need for extensive internal expertise, shortening project timelines, and providing objective cost and feasibility data — the platform empowers businesses to make faster, more informed decisions about adopting robotic systems. With the national robotics strategy projecting massive economic gains from increased automation, tools that streamline the journey from idea to implementation are essential for unlocking that potential across the country’s industrial sector.
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