Territory business Rise Project Consulting has received funding under the CLP Government's Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund to commercialise new technology which is set to revolutionise the global wastewater management industry.
It will allow Rise to advance the commercialisation of a fit-for-purpose Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) used in global water-based surveys to measure and map wastewater ponds.
Current survey methods can include craft propellors becoming entangled in debris or staff taking measurements by prodding the bottom of wastewater ponds.
Rise's USV floats on wastewater rather, than in wastewater, and is specifically designed to replace unreliable, unsafe, and unproductive methods of traditional pond surveys.
The USV will be fitted with sonars, GPS and data logging capabilities to enable high resolution 3D mapping of wastewater ponds.
This technology will allow managers to know when and how to desludge ponds, enhance asset performance, rectify issues and forward plan for upgrades.
The $360,436 project is backed by a $180,218 co-investment from the CLP Government's AME Fund, which is administered by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre.
This investment is also set to create 30 local jobs at Rise and help the business expand.
Minister for Advanced Manufacturing Robyn Cahill said: "By investing in local businesses such as Rise we are building the Territory's capabilities in advanced manufacturing and supporting emerging industries to grow, which creates local jobs and attracts new investment."
"Rise is a great example of using innovation to modernise wastewater management, improve industry practices and be leaders in the development of fit for purpose Unmanned Surface Vehicles for global bathymetry surveys," said Ms Cahill.
Stephen Goat, Managing Director for Rise, said: "Support from the Territory Government via the AMEF will be transformational for Rise, not only will it mean that we can design, develop and prototype a product we know the world needs, but we can also manufacture it right here in the Territory."
AMGC's Northern Territory Director Charmaine Phillips said: "Rise is another example of the highly capable yet small manufacturers that can be found across the NT."
"By tapping into the AME Fund and the connections it has across the Territory ecosystem, the company can pursue commercialising a world-leading product here in the Top End, all while generating prosperity and opportunities for Territorians," said Ms Phillips.
Working in collaboration with Charles Darwin University's Northern Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems, Rise will utilise Territory skills and equipment to design and test the solution in Darwin before moving to manufacturing and commercialisation.
