Siemens to give UniSA access to software on space gear, supercars, and warships

ADELAIDE students have been given the software used to design a Maserati, SpaceX rockets, and the Mars Curiosity Rover — thanks to a half-billion-dollar software grant.

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ADELAIDE students have been given the software used to design a Maserati, SpaceX rockets, and the Mars Curiosity Rover — thanks to a half-billion-dollar software grant.

Technology giant Siemens announced the University of South Australia will now have access to programs that will ultimately be used here for shipbuilding.

The software will help SA enter “Industry 4.0” — the fourth industrial revolution that embraces smart technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and 3D printing.

It will allow students to simulate anything from toothbrushes to warships to test product designs, and to manage their life cycles.

First-year engineering student Franke Agenbag tried it for the first time at the Museum of Discovery on Wednesday.

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne outside UniSA’s Museum of Discovery. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

“This is unreal. It’s like the stuff we’ve been using already (but) on steroids. It’s ridiculous, it’s so advanced,” the 18-year-old from Marananga said.

She is hoping to enter the defence industry and work for the Royal Australian Air Force.

“This stuff that has been released today is right up my alley,” she said.

UniSA Vice Chancellor David Lloyd said the software would give students Industry 4.0 experience and would also benefit UniSA’s research and interaction with industry.

“It’s exciting to think that our students will soon have access to the same software used to design and develop everything from SpaceX, the Mars Curiosity Rover, Maserati Ghibli and other world leading innovations,” he said.

“Across space, mining, environment, defence and biomedical technology — it will allow us to model and prototype new ideas and give our students experience of advanced technology in the production of things, systems and processes.”

Siemens chief executive officer Jeff Connolly said the future workforce needed the right digital language to speak globally.

Mr Pyne said it would help create the workforce we need for the Future Frigates, the Future Submarines and the Offshore Patrol Vessels.

Premier Steven Marshall said it would “act as a catalyst for SA skills development in advanced manufacturing, as well as having broader applications, in particular for our growing space sector”.

“The defence and space industries will create future jobs for young South Australians, and it’s exciting that students will now have access to state-of-the-art software and when they finish study there will be jobs for them here in their home state,” he said.