Future students
Deakin University
Robert Kennedy, who graduated in robotics from Deakin University's Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds last year, is now working on a project at Philip Island Nature Park, installing cutting edge audio visual equipment which visitors can use to view seals, sharks and other marine life.
The project, managed by CPE Systems, uses remote controlled cameras to follow seals as they move around and can film them above and below the water.
Seal Rocks is located 2km south-west of Phillip Island in Victoria and is home to over 25,000 Australian fur seals.
Located some 25m from the Seal Rocks shoreline is a steel camera tower that stands 7m above the water. The camera tower electronics have been upgraded as part of the re-refurbishment of the Nobbies Building Project undertaken by Phillip Island Nature Park.
The camera tower has 7 different cameras, including underwater, infrared, robotic integrated pan/tilt and a dome camera for maintenance views inside the tower.
"Studying robotics at Deakin was really helpful in this job because it helped me in understanding the control architecture necessary to develop and deploy the robotic components of the camera system," said Robert.
"My training at Deakin also enabled me to design the mechanical structures that hold the cameras in the volatile environment," he said.
Watching on a screen means that visitors will be able to see the seals and sharks in their natural environment.
The Nobbies Building is scheduled to open in early April.
Students interested in studying robotics should consider a Deakin Bachelor of Engineering degree which has a mechatronics and robotics stream. For more information please phone 9244 6699 or email sci-tech@deakin.edu.au.
Media contact: Leigh Raymond 03 9246 8058; 0400 669 164
Pictures of Robert and the camera tower are available. Robert is available for interview.
