MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – [1 September 2026] – Robotics Australia Group, the national peak body for robotics, automation and physical AI, and HowToRobot, the global validation system for physical automation, today announced a country-wide partnership to accelerate automation adoption across Australian industry.

Together, the two organisations give Australian manufacturers a structured, AI-based system to plan, validate, and source automation – removing the guesswork that has held many businesses back from acting. Australian businesses will access the initiative locally through AutomationFinder.com.au, a dedicated Australian site operated by Robotics Australia Group and powered by HowToRobot.

The platform helps businesses identify and scope investment opportunities for automation in their operations – and provides a structured system to validate feasibility, costs, and solution concepts from a global base of over 20,000 vetted suppliers (500 in Australia alone). This addresses a key challenge for the industry:

”Australia’s manufacturers know they need to automate, but many have been hesitant to invest due to uncertainty about how to deal with new robotics technology. We are excited to – in partnership with HowToRobot – provide them with the system, expertise, and clarity they need to succeed,” said Paul Mason, CEO of Robotics Australia Group. 

First national platform for automation buyers and suppliers

The partnership puts the HowToRobot platform at the centre of Australia's automation procurement, with Australian businesses able to access the initiative through the dedicated local site AutomationFinder.com.au. It removes key barriers that have held businesses back from automating:

“Most businesses don’t yet have the structure, bandwidth, and expertise internally to move automation projects forward with the confidence and pace they need,” said Søren Peters, CEO and founder of HowToRobot, adding:

"What we see across the businesses already using our platform is that giving them a structured way to validate key decisions – what to automate, what it should cost, who can deliver it – is what makes adoption move faster and outcomes more predictable. We're excited to bring that to Australian manufacturers alongside Robotics Australia Group."

The platform works simply by letting users describe their situation to an AI system that draws upon data from over 600 automation projects globally and provides a structured way to:

• Identify where automation will deliver the highest impact in their operation
• Turn automation ideas into supplier-ready project briefs
• Get real market input on cost, feasibility, and solution concepts from vetted suppliers in Australia and globally.
• Move forward with firm quotes, supplier comparison, and final selection 
• Engage a panel of independent Australian automation experts when hands-on support is needed

The platform is fully vendor-neutral, giving manufacturers unbiased market input to base their decisions on – with no commercial stake in which solution or supplier they choose.

Platform partnership addresses labour and productivity challenges

The HowToRobot platform arrives in Australia at a moment when closing the automation gap has become an urgent national priority. Australian manufacturing faces persistent skilled workforce shortages, cost pressures and the slowest productivity growth in 60 years – conditions that make robotics and automation critical.

With a robot density of just 134 robots per 10,000 employees in manufacturing in 2023, well below the world average of 162 (International Federation of Robotics), Australia is lagging behind most other industrialised nations. The Australian Government's National Robotics Strategy outlines that closing the gap could add between $170 billion and $600 billion per year to Australia's GDP by 2030.

“Australia has a huge need for automation and the suppliers and expertise to deliver on it. What we've been missing is a structured way for manufacturers and industry to act on it at scale,” said Paul Mason. “This partnership brings a system that's already proven to work in the markets that are furthest ahead.”

Australian businesses can start their automation journey locally at AutomationFinder.com.au before accessing the HowToRobot-powered tools and network.

About the partnership

• First country-wide licensed deployment of the HowToRobot platform 
• Dedicated Australian website, AutomationFinder.com.au, operated by Robotics Australia Group and powered by HowToRobot
• Access to 20,000+ vetted automation suppliers globally, including 500 in Australia
• AI-assisted platform drawing on data from 600+ real automation projects worldwide
• Panel of independent Australian automation experts available for hands-on engagements

About HowToRobot

HowToRobot is the independent validation system for automation – helping companies work out what to automate, what it should cost, and who can deliver. Its platform and network of experts are used by Fortune 500 companies and small operations alike to discover automation opportunities, specify projects, and connect with vetted suppliers from a global network of more than 20,000 automation providers. www.howtorobot.com

About Robotics Australia Group

Robotics Australia Group is the national peak body for robotics, automation and physical AI in Australia, responsible for three editions of the Australian Robotics Roadmap, and supporting the National Robotics Strategy. Robotics Australia Group was established to facilitate the growth of a sustainable and internationally competitive Australian robotics industry. It connects developers, researchers, integrators, manufacturers, adopters, educators, investors and government across the whole robotics and automation ecosystem. www.roboausnet.com.au

Press contacts

• HowToRobot – Elías Lundström, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs: el@howtorobot.com
• Robotics Australia Group – Paul Mason, CEO Robotics Australia Group: paul.mason@roboausnet.com.au