Leading Aussie innovators showcased at government event

A remote pest control treatment system and mine-related drilling software were among more than 30 Australian innovations on show as part of an exhibition entitled Innovation in Australia.

Held in Brisbane, the event was hosted by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. It featured 32 exhibitors, who showcased world-class ideas, services and products.

According to Innovation Minister Kim Carr, the event highlights “the kind of creative enterprise that is critical to our future as a dynamic, prosperous and outward-looking nation.”

“The showcase demonstrates to firms what government support is available and how businesses can access it,” Senator Carr said in a statement.

Speaking at the event, Carr launched a new government publication titled It’s all about innovation, which includes two key tools:

• The eight tests of an innovative idea, which asks people to consider the tests to help them assess the likelihood of commercial success of their idea.

• Creating an innovation strategy, which gives 14 principles of innovation to help people create their firm’s practical innovation strategy.

“[The publication] is… based on original research commissioned by my department that investigated how companies become and remain systemically innovative,” Carr said.

“It will help businesses and add to the unprecedented support available for innovation.”

Of the 32 innovations featured in the exhibition, many of which are in the clean technology field, StartupSmart picked out five of the best:

b.box

b.box describes itself as the world’s first all-in-one baby wipes box and nappy wallet, which went to market in 2009. It is now stocked in more than 450 Australian stores and in 15 countries.

The range has expanded rapidly and now includes seven products in a variety of colours and designs.

It recently won the prestigious US 2011 Creative Child Magazine’s Top Choice Award for best travel aid, and was a Victorian Finalist in the 2011 Telstra Business Awards.

Globaltech

Globaltech specialises in the development and manufacture of drilling instruments and software to pinpoint the exact location and orientation of underground metals and mineral ore bodies.

The Globaltech Pathfinder and Orifinder instruments have been used in production programs, and sales are growing steadily in both Australia and overseas.

Globaltech has also invented the ePlod, the world’s first electronic data capture and reporting device, dedicated to improving the efficiency of hard rock drilling by eliminating the need for handwritten journey logs.

GrassAds

GrassAds is a mechatronics company that has developed robotic systems for the application of graphic images on large surfaces, such as sports stadiums.

The grass signage industry has traditionally used expensive manufactured stencils to lay down logos on sports fields.

The new technology allows digital images of graphics to be used by the robot to recreate the image directly onto the field.

This patented technology is now used in a wide range of sporting, corporate and special events, in stadiums throughout Australia and national sporting leagues.

GrassAds is expanding into new market sectors such as golf, racetracks, motor racing and airports.

SmartVet

SmartVet has developed the VetCap remote pest control treatment system for cattle at pasture.

VetCap is patent protected and utilises a purpose designed applicator to discharge a soft-gel capsule, known as GelCap, out to a range of about 10 metres.

The GelCap bursts on impact, delivering a specially developed formulation onto the hide of the cattle without rupturing the skin.

VetCap removes the need for expensive handling facilities, reduces stress on cattle, and reduces the time required to work cattle and the labour required, possibly by up to 75%.

The estimated market opportunity for the technology is 80,000,000 doses per annum.

eWater

eWater uses the latest science to support the ecologically and economically sustainable use of water and river systems.

The eWater team aims to develop and apply software products for fully integrated water cycle management.

eWater’s expanding portfolio is a partnership between leading scientists in the Australian water sector and the practical experience of frontline water managers from government and industry.

It offers products for integrated catchment management, complete river system management, stormwater quality modeling, urban water management and ecological response management.

Products include music, used by thousands of water professionals to simulate real-time water sensitive design, and Urban Developer, allowing urban water managers to compare integrated water management options.