POSTED: 28 Oct, 2025

We’re excited to celebrate three ARC Discovery Project successes! These groundbreaking projects will advance robotics in deformable and unstructured environments and co-design assistive technologies that promote independence and dignity.

Congratulations to all our researchers for securing over $2.1M in funding!

• Navigating Deformable Spaces – How to Localise in a Shifting World. Led by Prof Will Browne, Prof Cameron Brown, Dr Maryam Haghighat, and Prof Ross Crawford (QUT), this project will develop novel methods for robotic systems to operate safely and precisely in deformable environments—from disaster recovery zones to robotic-assisted surgery. Funding: $755,357
• Supporting Independent Living with “Seeing” Technologies. Led by A/Prof Laurianne Sitbon, Dr Jessica Korte, A/Prof Jared Donovan, and Prof Glenda Caldwell (QUT), this project will co-design next-generation assistive technologies with people with cognitive disabilities, promoting independence, dignity, and privacy. Funding: $747,855
• Robotic Navigation in Unstructured Environments. Led by Prof Teresa Vidal Calleja and team (UTS), this project will advance robotic perception and navigation in dynamic, unknown environments, enabling autonomous systems to respond to challenges like crowds or fire spread. Funding: $686,776

 

Read the full project list: Discovery Projects 2026 | Australian Research Council