Australia rolls out national automation platform: Robotics Australia Group and HowToRobot partner to simplify automation adoption

# What happened

# What the platform does AutomationFinder.com.au provides a structured workflow that guides businesses through identifying automation opportunities, scoping projects, and validating feasibility and costs. The platform connects users to HowToRobot's global database of vetted suppliers — a network of more than 20,000 suppliers worldwide, with roughly 500 listed in Australia.

# How it works in practice The system uses AI-driven tools to help users describe and mature a project brief. That reduces the need for lengthy in-house engineering studies early in the process. Instead of relying on ad-hoc estimates or a prolonged internal feasibility phase, businesses can use the platform to develop a clearer, quantified case for investment.

Paul Mason, CEO of Robotics Australia Group, framed the problem succinctly: Australia's manufacturers want to automate but are often hesitant because they are unsure how to approach robotic technology. The joint platform aims to provide the "system, expertise, and clarity" needed to progress projects.

# Why this matters for Australian industry Australia has lagged some peer countries on robot adoption. The partner texts note a robot density of 134 robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees in Australia, compared with a world average of 162. The new platform targets the specific causes of slow adoption: lack of internal structure, limited bandwidth for project development, and uncertainty about costs and feasibility.

By giving manufacturers a reproducible process and access to a broad supplier base, the platform reduces transaction friction between buyers and system integrators, component suppliers, and solution providers.

# Practical benefits and limits

• Faster project scoping: users can develop clearer investment cases without lengthy external engineering engagements.
• Wider supplier access: connects Australian businesses to a large, vetted global supplier network with local options.
• Cost and feasibility checks: structured validation helps quantify costs and technical fit before procurement.

• Elimination of all risk. Validation reduces uncertainty but does not remove project execution risks such as change management or shop-floor integration complexities.

# Next steps for manufacturers

• Visit AutomationFinder.com.au to start a project brief and explore supplier matches.
• Use the platform's validation outputs to create a costed proposal for internal approval.

# Bottom line