Diverseco showroom opening in Darwin CBD aims to increase access to robotic solutions

Territory businesses may soon be able to fill unskilled jobs with robots. Read which roles could be replaced.

The use of robots in workplaces is no longer a dystopian future but a close reality in the Territory.

A collaboration between the NT government, Charles Darwin University and automation solutions company Diverseco is set to increase access to robotic solutions for Territory businesses.

The opening of the Diverseco showroom doors in Darwin CBD will allow Territory businesses, of all sizes, to have direct access to futuristic resources.

A 20kg robot, known as a Cobot, is an example of the automation services offered and is sold at a low cost point to be more inclusive of smaller businesses.

The function of implementing robots within workplaces is to move employees from boring and repetitive jobs to other skilled areas of businesses, or to even work alongside the robots.

The Doosan Cobot (pictured) is a collaborative product between Doosan and Diverseco. The Cobot can be deployed in a workplace for a range of tasks. Picture: Floss Adams.

The Cobot is designed to collaboratively work alongside humans in the workplace with touch sensitive functions, it can recognise if its arm will bump into a human and can react, limiting the element of danger.

But Diverseco managing director Brenton Cunningham says these handy robots will not be necessarily stealing Territorians jobs but allowing for more employment.

“As far as jobs, we are creating other skill sets. There’s always going to be jobs,” Mr Cunningham said.

“Robots do not take away jobs, they create other jobs, they do take people out of boring mundane repetitive work.

“There is a massive skill shortage around the world, there is a massive resource shortage around the world, there are plenty of positions for people.”

Diverseco managing director Brenton Cunningham speaking about manufacturing automation alongside the Chief Minister Natasha Fyles and Advanced Manufacturing Minister Nicole Manison. Picture: Floss Adams.

Advanced manufacturing training to work with robots like the Cobot will be offered through CDU as four micro-credential courses.

The project, announced last year, is a $4.45 million joint investment supported by the Northern Territory’s Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund which is administered by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre.

The AMEF is part of a five-year, $8.75 million partnership between the NT Government and the AMGC, and it provides grants to industry-led advanced manufacturing projects in the Territory across priority sectors.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the collaboration would grow jobs and support current industries already struggling for employees and educate the next generation.

“Advanced manufacturing will be a major jobs driver of the future, and this new partnership will provide local manufacturers with the ability to turn their dreams into realities,” Ms Fyles said.

“By growing Territory capabilities in advanced manufacturing, we are expanding industries and export opportunities, creating new opportunities for investors and exciting job opportunities for Territorians.”