Sea to space and everything in between: Telstra and Fugro’s remote operations centre in Gnangara shoots for the stars

A Perth technology innovation hub that is already sending remote-controlled submersibles to the bottom of the ocean now has its sights set on outer space.

The Remote Operations Centre based at Telstra’s Perth International Telecommunications Centre in Gnangara is home to engineers from geo-data specialist Fugro who use the same joystick used to pilot an F-16 fighter to control remote robots that run inspection, repair and maintenance services on North West Shelf pipes and infrastructure at depths of up to 4000m.

Speaking at yesterday’s launch of the centre, Telstra chief executive Andy Penn said the ROC was born from a partnership between Fugro and the telco to cut satellite latency and allow more effective, real-time use of robotics from greater distances.

“Once you can grasp what can be done with underwater submersibles being operated remotely that can also apply to other applications — whether it’s in remote mining or even things in outer space, and that’s some of the things we’re looking at right now,” Mr Penn said.

“The future for automation and robotics is very exciting and this is a great example of how solving one problem — running submersibles robots on the seabed — has applicability across so many different applications.”

Mr Penn said the advancements made in satellite technology at PITC, together with the rollout of Australia’s 5G network, which would further reduce latency, created a platform to develop and test opportunities for remote operations across a range of industries.

Fugro general manager Sam Forbes said sub-sea robots had previously been controlled from on-board vessels at sea, which was costly and presented safety risks.

The Dutch company, which has had a presence in WA for more than 50 years, started looking at developing its remote and harsh environment operation capabilities in 2015 and had approached Telstra after being told the latency challenges could not be overcome.

“Together with Telstra we’ve created what we believe is the first of its kind in the world — a real-time robotic command and control centre that operates over satellite communications and is focused on subsea operations,” Mr Forbes said.

“We believe there’s an opportunity to revolutionise parts of certain industries — whether that be subsea, agriculture, or even space. It would be inspiring to see one day Australians supporting remote operations in orbit or on the Moon.”

The future for automation and robotics is very exciting and this is a great example of how solving one problem ... has applicability across so many different applications.

WA Innovation, ICT and Science Minister Dave Kelly said the technology could be transferred to other industries because, unlike many automated mining operations, it relied on satellite and not fibre optics.

“The Australian space agency had identified WA as a world-leader in remote operations,” Mr Kelly said.

“What Furgo and Telstra are doing here with a satellite-based system ... you can transfer that from the oil and gas industry to the space industry.

“We want to support those companies who are translating this sort of technology into new industries and creating new jobs.”