In a bid to make Australia’s Queensland the regional leader in drone tech, the government has revealed that it is backing an array of initiatives.

Queensland government is designing areas for testing the land-base and marine capabilities of drones.

The strategy aims to make Queensland “best positioned to make the most of drone technology and application, and has the agility to address new opportunities and challenges as they emerge,” according to Queensland Drone Strategy Consultation Paper.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems

“Broader innovations in technology will also likely drive drone development. Existing platforms are the convergence of a range of technologies such as hydrodynamics, structural mechanics, robotics, signal and information processing, systems engineering, electrical components and sensor systems,” continued the paper.

“Further developments in these areas, plus the continued emergence of new technologies, have the potential to lead to new drone capabilities.”

The state government has put US$1million towards its Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) research project.

Autonomous and robotic technology

Future initiatives include incorporating drones into the Department of Education’s STEM programmes, putting funds towards the World of Drones Congress in Brisbane in 2018 and 2019 and developing “Queensland Aerospace and Defence Industry 10‑year Roadmaps and Action Plans”.

To help develop standards for the assessment and certification of autonomous and robotic technology, the government has also said it will put US$3million towards an independent body to help towards its initiatives.

The government’s first review of its drone strategy will be carried out next year.

Written by Leah Alger