NICTA names new CEO

Australian research institute NICTA has appointed robotics expert Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte as its new CEO.

Prof Durrant-Whyte is currently stationed at the University of Sydney, heading its Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR), and was recently awarded the NSW Scientist of the Year award for 2010.

“It is an exciting time for ICT research in Australia with the advent of the National Broadband Network and I am confident that NICTA can play an important role in finding solutions to some of the pressing challenges we face in sectors such as healthcare, energy, transport and logistics,” Prof Durrant-Whyte said.

According to NICTA, Prof Durrant-Whyte brings “considerable research and commercial expertise” to the organisation.

His ventures include a company that recently secured a $57 million contract with the US Navy for armour-plated robots on which marksmen could practise their skills, as well as various robotics projects around Australia.

Prof Durrant-Whyte replaces outgoing CEO, Dr David Skellern.

“Dr Skellern has put NICTA on the map both nationally and internationally. He inherited a fledgling organisation of promise and transformed it into an internationally respected research and development group, able to tackle major problems facing Australia. He leaves a great legacy,” said Neville Stevens, NICTA Chairman.

Prof Durrant-Whyte will take up his new post in December this year.