Momentum building for human bionics industry

Industry and government support is coalescing around the development of the human bionics sector in Australia – with south east Queensland as the epicentre - following its identification as a priority in the RDA SEQ Advanced Manufacturing Specialisations Joint Action Plan, and a subsequent RDA Brisbane masterclass on the potential of the industry at CLICK! Digital Expo earlier this year.

Associate Professor Dimity Dornan, the keynote speaker at the masterclass, is the founder and director of SEQ-based organisation Hear and Say, a leading provider of cochlear implants; Professor Dornan has harnessed interest and momentum from the event to form Human-Bionics Interface Frontiers, a new national body which will bring together individuals and organisations working and researching in the field of human bionics, and help create a shared vision for the future of the industry.

Fourteen leading human bionics professionals attended the new organisation’s first national planning meeting at Bond University earlier this month, including Julie Ann Quinn of Bionic Vision Australia, and Professor Stephen Williams representing the Queensland Brain Institute.

Delegates discussed how the bionics industry can empower children and adults with medical challenges to achieve their full potential through technological innovations to restore sight, hearing, communication and movement.

AusIndustry has also thrown its weight behind the development of an Australia-wide industry alliance, building on the strengths and high capability already available in south east Queensland. For further information, contact Tracy Scott-Rimington on 0433 346 344 or