Tech centre planned for Karratha
A NEW research and development centre will be based in Karratha, WA, that will explore opportunities for autonomous mobility technology in an urban environment.
Established by Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), the Fortescue Future of Mobility Centre would leverage the company’s success in using autonomous technology across its operations.
FMG chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said that innovation and emerging technologies, like autonomy, presented an opportunity to work closely with the community to bring about mutual benefits.
“We are at the forefront of this technology with our mine operations set to become the first in the world to be fully autonomous and our fleet having safely travelled over 26 million kilometres since the first autonomous truck was introduced in 2012,” Ms Gaines said.
“The emergence of autonomy is one aspect in which our world is changing rapidly, and we intend to be part of the opportunities that it will represent for the mining industry, local communities such as Karratha, and beyond.
“By establishing the Fortescue Future of Mobility Centre in Karratha we will have the ability to develop, test and trial this technology, further contributing to Western Australia’s position as a world leading autonomous hub.”
The centre would work in partnership with technology and research partners lisuch as the University of Technology Sydney as and the City of Karratha.
“I am delighted that of all the potential locations around Australia, Fortescue has selected Karratha as its base to develop this exciting and innovative new technology,” Karratha mayor Peter Long said.
The centre would explore all facets of the future of mobility including software, hardware and various forms of mobility solutions such as autonomous light vehicles.