ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for
Human-Robot Teaming for
Sustainable and Resilient Construction (HaRTCon)
News
2026
24 August 2026
STEM+ Students
​HaRTCon welcomed STEM+ students to UTS to take part in a robotics module organised by Laing O’Rourke, one of the Hub’s industry partners. The event featured presentations, hands-on learning activities, lab tours and live robot demonstrations.
19 August 2026
4th UTS Node HaRTCon Seminar
This HaRTCon UTS Node featured two insightful presentations from Dr Gibson Hu and Resul Dagdanov. Gibson presented “Robots in Timber Construction”, exploring the potentials of robotic technology in timber construction. Resul presented “Improving the Trustworthiness of Robots Through HRC”, examining how human–robot collaboration can contribute to more trustworthy robotic systems. Learn more.
18 August 2026
Professor Kevin Zhang
Professor Kevin Zhang, Dean of the School of Engineering at RMIT University, visited the UTS Infrastructure Lab and HaRTCon Lab. The visit included discussions on current research activities, laboratory capabilities and potential opportunities for future collaboration.
14 August 2026
Visit by Meinhardt
HaRTCon was delighted to welcome a group of senior structural engineers from Meinhardt Australia & New Zealand to UTS for a visit to the HaRTCon lab and the UTS Data Arena.
During the visit, the group explored our current research, saw live robotics demonstrations, and discussed potential opportunities for robotics to support construction activities. Learn more.
06 August 2026
Visit by Particle Design Studio
​It was a pleasure to welcome Daniel So, Principal Designer at Particle Design Studio, to HaRTCon and showcase some of our robotics research and demonstrations, and to discuss the importance of industrial design and product development in translating emerging technologies into practical real-world solutions. Learn more.
22 July 2026
3rd UTS Node HaRTCon Seminar
​HaRTCon’s third UTS seminar featured presentations by Distinguished Professor Yen-Chen Liu on human-centred autonomous robots and Associate Professor Johnny Wong on construction informatics, automation and AI. The Hub also welcomed visiting Associate Professor Yu-Ting “Tracy” Kao from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan. Learn more.
13 & 17 July 2026
Lab demos for RSS Conference
The RSS Conference commenced on 13 July, and HaRTCon was pleased to contribute through a series of laboratory tours and live robotics demonstrations. On 13 July, high school, undergraduate and master’s students from the RSS Pathways Program visited the HaRTCon lab, followed by multiple lab visits on 17 July across morning and afternoon sessions as part of the broader RSS robotics lab tour. Learn more.
30 June 2026
Visit by Silver Raven and UNSW
HaRTCon hosted representatives from Silver Raven and UNSW for a laboratory tour and discussions to explore potential research and industry collaboration opportunities.
17 June 2026
Keynote talk at the NSW AI Symposium
HaRTCon was pleased to contribute to the NSW AI Symposium, “The AI transition: What are the economics, social and ethical impacts?”, organised in partnership between ATSE’s NSW Division and Engineers Australia. Through an invited presentation titled “Embodied AI”, HaRTCon explored the opportunities and challenges of applying AI-enabled robotics to support human-robot teaming in the construction industry. Learn more.
03 June 2026
2nd UTS Node HaRTCon Seminar
HaRTCon held its second UTS Node Seminar, bringing together Hub members to share research updates, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaboration across the Hub.​ Excellent presentations were given by Mina Mortazavi and Habib Ghasemi. Learn more.
02 June 2026
Visit by Monecc and The Fifth Estate
HaRTCon recently welcomed Kim Tian from industry partner Monecc and Tina Perinotto, Managing Editor and Publisher of The Fifth Estate, an online publication focused on the sustainable built environment, for an introduction to the Hub and several robotics laboratory demonstrations at UTS. Thank you to Kim for organising the visit.
29 May 2026
Business Council of Australia (BCN)
In this article, the Business Council of Australia (BCA) highlights UTS research demonstrating how robots can assist with infrastructure inspection, cleaning, and maintenance tasks in hazardous environments, reducing risks to workers while improving operational outcomes. Learn more.
28 May 2026
STEM Teachers Visit
On Thursday 28 May, HaRTCon was pleased to welcome a group of STEM teachers from Independent High Schools as part of a broader UTS robotics and technology lab tour organised by A/Prof. Alen Alempijevic.
13 May 2026
Keynote talk by Prof. Dikai Liu at ICPS 2026
Distinguished Professor Dikai Liu, Director of HaRTCon, delivered a keynote presentation at the IEEE ICPS 2026 held in Perth on 13 May 2026. His keynote is titled “Human-Robot Collaboration: Challenges, Enabling Methodologies and Case Studies”. Learn more.
14 May 2026
UTS Pro-Vice Chancellor HaRTCon Lab Visit
On Thursday 14 May, HaRTCon hosted UTS Pro-Vice Chancellors Penny Martens and Anika Gauja as part of a multi-lab tour, showcasing how human-robot teaming and assistive technologies are transforming safety and productivity in the construction industry. Learn more.
12 May 2026
DIGIT Student Visit
On Tuesday 12 May, HaRTCon hosted students from the 2026 DIGIT Week program, showcasing how human-robot teaming is shaping the future of industrial safety and inspiring the next generation of engineers. Learn more.
8 May 2026
UTS RES Hub - Building human-robot collaboration
The UTS Research Excellence Support Hub (RES Hub) covered the official launch of HaRTCon, a $23 million initiative advancing human-centric robotics to transform construction through enhanced safety, productivity, and sustainability. Learn more.
5 May 2026
ARC - Robotics designed to support people in construction
The Australian Research Council (ARC) highlighted the official HaRTCon launch, showcasing how the $5 million ARC-funded Hub will deliver human-centric robotics to reduce high-risk tasks and strengthen Australia's construction workforce. Learn more.
28 April 2026
Meeting between Simpson Strong-Tie and HaRTCon
Meeting with Simpson Strong-Tie to explore the integration of intelligent robotics in timber building construction, aimed at enhancing structural efficiency and onsite safety.
Meeting between Subsea Solutions and HaRTCon
Meeting between HaRTCon and Subsea Solutions to discuss potential collaboration opportunities together for ship hull cleaning and pile cleaning.
24 April 2026
Inaugural HaRTCon Symposium
The inaugural 2026 HaRTCon Symposium convened researchers, government, and industry stakeholders to explore construction innovation and showcase progress in Human–Robot Teaming for construction. Learn more.
UTS Newsroom - Building an industry of the future with robots
The UTS Newsroom featured the official launch of the $23 million HaRTCon research hub, highlighting how human-centric robotics will transform construction through enhanced safety, productivity, and workforce sustainability. Learn more.
23 April 2026
HaRTCon Official Hub Lauch Event
The official launch of the HaRTCon Hub on 23 April 2026 brought together researchers, industry, and government partners to celebrate the start of this collaborative program advancing human-robot teaming for a safer and more sustainable construction industry. Learn more.
MTN Media Visit
The University of Technology Sydney hosted Korean broadcaster MTN to showcase HaRTCon’s AI and robotics innovations, highlighting international collaboration in developing intelligent systems to address human-robot teaming in construction. Learn more.
2025
27 November 2025
Engineers Australia Webinar
An Engineers Australia webinar co-led by HaRTCon Outreach Leader Shankar Sankaran explored managing sociotechnical risks in digital transformation, focusing on the critical balance between human factors and emerging engineering technologies. Learn more.
3 November 2025
ABC Radio Segment
An ABC Radio segment explored how robotics could solve Australia's housing crisis, featuring HaRTCon Hub Leader Dikai Liu and Outreach Leader Shankar Sankaran discussing the role of human-robot teaming in accelerating construction. Learn more.
31 October 2025
Queensland University of Technology Visit
On October 31, 2025, HaRTCon welcomed university partner QUT for a collaborative site visit and lab tour to facilitate a hands-on knowledge exchange for innovative human-robot interaction solutions. Learn more.
30 October 2025
HaRTCon Welcome Seminar
On October 30, 2025, HaRTCon held its official Welcome Seminar at UTS, bringing together in-person and online partners to align shared ambitions and build the collaborative relationships essential for the Hub’s success. Learn more.
28 October 2025
Kakadu National Park Visit
On October 28, 2025, Kakadu National Park representatives visited the HaRTCon Lab to discuss the preservation of heritage-listed sites and were shown demonstrations of HaRTCon’s collaborative and assistive robotic technologies. Learn more.
15 September 2025
University of Leeds Visit
HaRTCon hosted a three-day event with international partner the University of Leeds, featuring a collaborative seminar and a lab tour showcasing demonstrations of current human-robot teaming technologies. Learn more.