Cisco has announced investment in Innovation Central Sydney, a collaboration led by Cisco, focused on open Internet of Things (IoT) innovation.
Launched in front of a packed crowd across the Tasman yesterday, Cisco innovation centres are aimed at inspiring and showcasing IoT innovation and development, bringing together customers, industry partners, research organisations, startups, accelerators, government and universities.
The new Sydney centre will combine with Cisco’s established centre in Perth, in addition to eight other Cisco Innovation Centres in Rio de Janeiro, Toronto, Songdo, Berlin, Barcelona, Tokyo, London and Paris.
Innovation Central will be located at ATP Innovations, Australia’s leading technology incubator and community of technology entrepreneurs.
As unveiled at launch, the tech giant says the initial ecosystem partners of Innovation Central Sydney include CSIRO’s Data61, University of New South Wales (UNSW), National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), NSW Farmers, ATP Innovations and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Coupled with the launch, Cisco is also investing $US15 million over five years to these Australian Centres, reaffirming its global pledge and ongoing commitment to generating new economic growth, through technology innovation derived from digital transformation, IoT and cyber security.
“Australia is a sophisticated market with a high level of innovation and is an early adopter of new technology,” says Ken Boal, Vice President, Cisco Australia and New Zealand.
“Australia is highly regarded globally for its resources and agriculture sectors, ensuring the nation is well-placed to serve the rapidly growing markets within Asia and the government has prioritised these sectors accordingly.”
Boal says Cisco experts, together with industry partners and ecosystem startups, will develop proof-of-concepts, features and functionalities and do rapid prototyping.
Innovation Central will incorporate dedicated space to demonstrate IoT in action and open areas where customers, startups, open communities, researchers, entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts are afforded an environment to develop new ideas and technologies.
“We are confident that our investment, as well as that of our partners, will help to accelerate the government’s recently announced National Innovation and Science Agenda - an impressive agenda that requires industry to support collaborative innovation initiatives,” Boal adds.
“The aim of Innovation Central Sydney is to turn innovation into real commercial solutions based on IoT in agriculture, smart cities and transportation in Australia.”
According to a recent study, Australia in particular has the advantageous position of being one of a few countries with the greatest potential to benefit from IoT, thanks to its proximity to Asia, well-trained engineers and innovation power.
As such, Boal reports that Cisco estimates the potential Value at Stake for the Australian economy to be more than $US74 billion over the next 10 years.
To view photographs from the official launch - click here