Overview of Research Projects
Who we are
- More than 30 industry research projects
- Across 10 different industry sectors
- Worldwide network
- 160 leading researchers and development staff
- A unique data platform
Who we work with
- University of Tasmania
- CSIRO
- Tasmanian Government departments and authorities
- Other research organisations
Fourteen projects share funding of $6 million from Sense-T to use applied sensor technology and data science to solve practical problems, support economic growth, and help industries across Tasmania to improve their productivity, efficiency and sustainability.
With industry and research partners contributing their own funding and in-kind contributions, the total value of research being undertaken to support innovation and economic growth in Tasmania exceeds $11 million.
Researchers from the University of Tasmania, CSIRO, government and industry are working closely with end-users to support innovation in areas such as:
- giving vulnerable people alerts via a smartphone app when their health is at risk from airborne pollen, smoke or pollution;
- tracking tourists to give the Tasmanian tourism industry a better insight into where visitors go and why;
- improving the storage of potatoes, and the drying of timber boards; and
- boosting efficiency in irrigation and salmon farming.
Sense-T's Industry Research Projects are part of four work packages being funded by the Australian Government, with $13 million allocated to the University of Tasmania for the entire program under the Tasmanian Jobs and Growth Plan.
The projects commenced in April 2015 and will be completed in December 2016.
They build on the achievements of Sense-T Stage 1 research projects, undertaken in partnership with the CSIRO, which helped farmers to solve real world challenges and improve decision making in the areas of beef and dairy, viticulture, aquaculture and water management.
Current Projects:
- Tamar Valley Real Time Temperature Mapping
Sense-T has partnered with the Natural Assets Spatial Intelligence Section of the Tasmanian State Government’s Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment to develop and deploy a sensor network to deliver real time temperature data across the Tamar Valley in Northern Tasmania. The project involves the deployment of 50 temperature sensors and telemetry solutions on the properties of horticultural enterprises in the Tamar Valley.
The project is validating a temperature forecasting model that has the potential of profiling and forecasting temperature at an 80 metre resolution instead of the current 3 kilometre resolution reported by the Bureau of Meteorology. Validation of the model will have a significant impact on decision making at farm level as a greater understanding of individual micro-climates will be enabled.
Access the link to a trial website containing the temperature reporting for the Tamar Valley project by clicking on the above heading.
Completed Projects:
Matthew Pooley, Pooley Wines Tasmania
- Forest and Wood Products
Using sensors and real-time data to monitor timber boards as they're air dried in timber yards, Tasmanian hardwood producers are reducing waste and improving efficiency. The Project is on track to deliver an estimated $15 million per annum boost to the $100 million industry. - Viticulture
Having access to a new app and online dashboard to monitor on-farm growing conditions, understand disease and other risks, Tasmanian vineyards are making better decisions, being more environmentally responsive and increasing their financial gain. - Water Management
Using sensor technology and real- time information on river flows, weather and water quality, Tasmanian farmers, regulators and the environment are benefiting from improved water management. - Irrigation Gateway
Using real-time data from new sensor technology to monitor and control irrigation equipment and energy use, farm managers are improving energy efficiency, water management and reducing costs. - Sensor-smart Irrigation
On-farm research and sensors are informing a new app that improves water use efficiency and agricultural sustainability, enabling farmers to make better irrigation decisions and tailor their individual systems, soil and crop types. - Pasture Productivity
Having access to a free, online tool to help predict and prepare for upcoming livestock feed availability, farmers have boosted their productivity, efficiency and sustainability. - BloomAlert
A real-time monitoring network for early detection and management of algal blooms is supporting water agencies to efficiently manage the quality and safety of water for drinking, recreation and irrigation.
- Macquarie Harbour Salmon
The salmon industry is improving efficiency, productivity and environmental practices by using sensing technology placed on 'sentinel' fish in pens and in the environment to collect real-time data on fish behaviour, water temperature, dissolved oxygen and depth. - Oyster Biosensors
Fitting a network of biosensors on individual oysters to collect data on health and on-farm conditions is informing real-time decision making on production. The industry is becoming more competitive, efficient and sustainable.
Federal Minister for Tourism and International Education, Senator Richard Colbeck; Dr Anne Hardy, University of Tasmania; Tasmanian Premier and Minister or Tourism, Will Hodgman. Tourism Tracking App Launch December 2015
- Tourism Tracking App
Using real-time sensor generated data, the Tasmanian tourism industry and community are experiencing value and growth by gaining insights into visitor travel and decision making.
- AirRater App
The world's first personalised air quality monitoring system is using federated data to help Tasmanians breathe easier. Suffers are adapting their behaviour and managing their daily activities, as well as improving public health outcomes.
- Sensing Natural Capital
Standardising the way environmental sensor data is collected, processed and presented to meet the needs of financial sector users.
- Using data generation, visualisation and sharing, farmers are identifying opportunities, solving challenges and improving their decision making. Providing digitally-backed provenance solutions to local food exporters and their supply network is transforming Tasmanian food value chains.
- Using data analytics and sensor technology to provide customised logistics solutions that improve efficiency and productivity in transport, logistics and freight.
- Sense-T has built a state of the art facility to allow the manufacturing of sensor prototypes for the emerging internet of things space.
- Developed by the University of Tasmania within the School of Engineering and ICT this specialist human interface technology teaching and research centre serves as an economic engine for Tasmania.
