From the CEO’s Desk

August 2026

My InnovationAus article, “Australia is investing in the wrong kind of AI,” has triggered an unprecedented response - mostly furious agreement, but also lots of practical questions:

- How can Australia collect industrial data and share it?
- Why is so much of Australia’s AI talent still underutilised?
- What happens if overseas AI models are switched off?

What I can say is, Australians are now thinking about Industrial AI: AI that makes our factories, ports, mines and supply chains smarter, safer and more competitive. ARM Hub’s Chair Prof Roy Green and John H. Howard have brought lessons home from Europe and will be publishing a major work in September – we will keep you posted.

Until then, you can hear more about Industrial AI from me on the Tech Design Policy Institute podcast, Can Industrial AI save Australia’s economy?

The case has been made. Now it’s time to get on with the job.

Prof Cori Stewart, FTSE

Founder & CEO, ARM Hub

Australia’s leading AI and robotics sprint has crowned Sydney-based tactile sensing company Contactile as this year’s winner.

Founded out of UNSW Sydney in 2019, Contactile is developing bio-inspired tactile sensors and grippers that enable robots to measure force, slip, and friction. The sensors create a human sense of touch, allowing reliable handling of delicate or variable objects without damage.

Following in the footsteps of 2025 winner NexoBot, Contactile will now undertake a month-long residency at MassRobotics, the heart of global robotics innovation in Boston. Read on here to find out more.

Long-term ARM Hub tenant and pilotless VTOL pioneer Wisk Aero take to the skies as US-based Archer Aviation acquired the brand from Boeing this week. The acquisition came as part of a broader deal that includes drone maker Insitu and air traffic management software company SkyGrid.

The announcement reflects the growing market demand for technologies creating safer, smarter and more sustainable transport from the ground up - full details here.

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Building Stronger Global Relationships

MassRobotics and ARM Hub signed a multi-year MoU in late July, marking a significant milestone in their growing partnership. Building on the momentum of the Propel-AIR launch and the Brisbane and Sydney tour earlier this year, the two innovation hubs are taking their collaboration to the next level.

“We are excited to deepen our relationship with ARM Hub,” said MassRobotics Director of Growth Marita McGinn. “Our MoU opens a direct pathway for Australian companies into the Boston robotics ecosystem and a route to commercialisation in the United States.”

The announcement of Sydney-based Contactile as this year’s Propel-AIR winner marks another important step forward. We look forward to working more closely with Joyce, Marita and the Boston team.

Welcoming new tenants on board!

We are excited to welcome three brand-new tenants to our factory floor this month!

Zekitek is the world’s first integrated energy generation and electrical charging ecosystem that designs and manufactures flexible energy systems to generate clean, affordable, and reliable electricity.

Astute Systems designs, builds and supports rugged mission system technologies that enable Defence primes and platform integrators to make integration risk visible, assessable and manageable.

Zabidou delivers automated, real-time & in-line sensing AI-empowered hardware for material movement tracking, measurements, anomaly detection and quality assurance.

Podcasts, here we come!

We've had two exciting podcast releases this week featuring ARM Hub leaders sharing their insights on AI, innovation and Australia's future industrial capability.

Is Australia Getting AI Strategy Right? ARM Hub Founder & CEO Prof Cori Stewart FTSE joins Tech Mirror to discuss why Australia's biggest AI opportunity lies beyond data centres and regulation, and how industrial AI is already transforming sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, mining and agriculture.

AI and Productivity: Building Economic Resilience and Industrial Capacity. ARM Hub Chair Professor Roy Green AM joins Commercial Disco to explore innovation, productivity and the role of industrial capability in strengthening Australia's economic resilience.

For the AI-curious, these are our tune-in recommendations for the week. Happy listening!

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