Resources Technology Showcase 2021: Telstra’s dancing robots make triumphant return to Perth Convention Centre

Telstra has brought back the ever-popular dancing robots to the Resources Technology Showcase this year — and even added an aquarium to the mix.

Telstra’s robots, which made their debut at the showcase in 2019, are once again showing off more than just a boogie on the dancefloor at this year’s event at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre today and tomorrow.

Telstra executive mining and energy Malcolm DeSilva said the robots were demonstrating how artificial intelligence could be used on real-life mine sites.

“We know that there’s a lot of robotics at the mines, like remote vehicles and unmanned vehicles that require artificial intelligence that require remote connectivity,” he said.

While the robots you can meet at RTS will not be getting their metal fingers dirty on a real-life mine site, they still play an important role.

“We leave the big robots to the mining companies, but these guys are customer service robots, they can dance and they help people by working in human environments,” the Telstra spokesman said.

We expect to see the young children to be inspired towards the jobs of the future and the ways of working in the future.

The theme of firm's activities is “In the Air, Down There and Everywhere”, encompassing how technology connects to industry, as well as people’s everyday lives.

To satisfy all elements of the theme, the aquarium is set to be another sure-fire hit at the showcase with an underwater drone — in use by multiple energy companies in real-life settings to deploy their equipment into the ocean’s depths — on display.

Up in the air, for those wondering how 5G is delivered to remote locations which are void of cell towers, a display of mobile trailers in action will have the answers.

“We have a cell on wheels as our piece of the major equipment on the booth and that is the way that we bring in 5G technology to areas on a temporary basis,” Mr DeSilva said.

He said Telstra hopes people will walk away from the event with more enthusiasm surrounding adventures into technology.

“We expect to see the young children to be inspired towards the jobs of the future and the ways of working in the future,” Mr DeSilva said.

“We hope to see people having fun, as well as learning a little bit more about what makes Telstra, too.”

The Resources Technology Showcase is free, and is open on June 21 and 22 from 9am – 4.30pm at PCEC.

For more information visit rtsperth.com.au.