The Australian National University (ANU) cybernetics students presented cyber-physical systems as industry partners, collaborators and the wider community gathered on campus for Demo Day.
“We’ve had really amazing questions posed about our work and seeing people from the industry and speaking to them about potential applications of our products at scale has been very useful,” said Christine Balasa, who displayed a prototype for a heat-based pain relief product that can be sewn into clothing.
Created as part of their learnings from semester one, 15 systems were on display across two levels and five rooms in the Birch Building on 8 June 2023.
Talei Elu created a satellite beacon used in boating emergencies, seeing the need for an affordable alternative among members of the Torres Straight Islander community.
“In the Torres Strait we have a vast expanse of sea country,” she said. “For us, inter-island travel on boats is quite common, as common as driving a car here in Canberra. Travelling on the water comes with inherent risks and not everyone can afford a device that costs in excess of $350.”
The GPS locator, which can be made from recycled marine debris, will help connect her people to country while affordably increasing safety.
“Demo Day is a really well timed halfway point for everyone to take a breath. Think about where we’re at, reflect and communicate that to the broader Australian cybernetics community,” said Ben Fox.
Fox showcased an agricultural system that facilitates better communication between living soils and humans.
“The prototype uses sound to make a qualitative analysis of soil and to present that as an augmented reality layer on top of the existing perceptions. So it’s a method of expanding the perceptions of humans into soil,” Fox said.
If you are interested in studying complex dynamic systems that can bring together people, technology and the environment, we invite you to consider applying for the Master of Applied Cybernetics in 2024. The application process is now open for this one-year full-time program, offering a transformational education experience.