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The Dirt

di UWA's Centre for Engineering Innovation

Scienza della vita Tecnologia

Stagione 1

From Shearing Robots to Solving Global Challenges with Professor James Trevelyan

Episode 8 | Professor James Trevelyan — From Shearing Robots to Solving Global Challenges Episode Notes: In this episode of The Dirt, we sit down with Professor James Trevelyan — a pioneering robotics researcher, mechanical and mechatronics engineer, and inventor. James led the team behind the Shear Magic robot — one of the world's first automated sheep shearing systems — in the 1980s, and has since built a career spanning IoT, AI, engineering education, and global development. We cover: The story behind the Shear Magic robot — what it was, the technical challenges the team faced, and why it never became a commercial product The social pushback to robotic shearing and why the concept still unsettles people today Whether autonomous sheep shearing could finally become a reality with modern technology James' pioneering work in internet-controlled robots and how IoT could help address water access and food security His refreshingly candid take on AI — including why he's called it "Artificial Incompetence" — and what role it might actually play in agriculture Lessons from his books on engineering practice that apply well beyond engineering How engineers can help solve poverty and food security — and his advice for building a career in agricultural technology This is a conversation that spans decades of innovation, from shearing sheds to global food systems — with a healthy dose of wisdom on what it really means to be an engineer. Youtube: Robot Sheep Shearing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZAh2zv7TMM Hosts: Dr Wesley Moss and Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi Produced by Stephanie Lye This podcast is brought to you by The University of Western Australia's Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration. Find out more about our research or get in touch at https://www.uwa-cei.org/

Building AgTech Startups through Venture Studios with Linley Houwen

Episode 7 | Linley Houwen — Inside the Venture Studio Model Shaping AgTech's Future In this episode of The Dirt, we sit down with Linley Houwen, Perth Director of Beanstalk — a team working across deep-tech, startups, commercialisation, and agribusiness with offices across Australia and Southeast Asia. Linley takes us behind the scenes of how Beanstalk helps turn agricultural innovation into real-world impact — and gives us a window into the global agtech landscape. We cover: Linley's journey into the agtech ecosystem and what drew her to the space What Beanstalk does and how it works with everyone from early-stage startups to large agribusinesses The venture studio model — what it is and why it's particularly well suited to agtech The global agtech landscape — startup trends and innovation across Asia, Africa, and beyond Where investment is flowing and which areas are attracting the most attention Where AI fits into the agtech investment landscape — and what technologies might matter more right now How building agtech for Australian agriculture differs from the rest of the world Practical advice for anyone thinking about founding an agtech startup How to know whether your startup is actually solving the right problem Whether you're thinking about launching a startup, working in agribusiness, or just curious about how agricultural innovation gets funded and built around the world — this one's for you. Hosts: Dr Wesley Moss and Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi Produced by Stephanie Lye This podcast is brought to you by The University of Western Australia's Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration. Find out more about our research or get in touch at https://www.uwa-cei.org/

From Lab to Launch: Turning AgTech Ideas into Real Businesses with Dr Tash Teakle

Episode 6 | Dr Tash Teakle — From Lab to Launch: Turning AgTech Ideas into Real Businesses In this episode of The Dirt, we sit down with Dr Tash Teakle, Managing Director of Agristart — a business helping agtech startups go from idea to commercialisation. Tash shares how she made the leap from a PhD in plant biology to the private sector, and what she's learned about turning good ideas into businesses that actually work for farmers. We cover: Tash's journey from agricultural science and plant biology research into the world of agtech business What makes a strong agtech business idea — and what doesn't The path from concept through to commercialisation How grower groups work and why they matter for agtech adoption How startups can better connect with farmers and integrate into industry Her outlook on agtech and where she sees the biggest opportunities ahead A great listen for anyone with a business idea in agriculture, or anyone curious about how innovation actually makes it from the lab to the farm gate. Hosts: Dr Wesley Moss and Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi Produced by Stephanie Lye This podcast is brought to you by The University of Western Australia's Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration. Find out more about our research or get in touch at https://www.uwa-cei.org/

Technology, AI, and the Pillars of AgTech with Farmer Belinda Lay

Episode 3 | Belinda Lay — Farming Smarter: Technology, AI, and the Pillars of AgTech In this episode we sit down with Farmer Belinda Lay to explore how technology is being adopted on a real working farm in regional WA. From sheep tracking collars and IoT sensors to ChatGPT and generative AI, Belinda shares an honest account of what's worked, what hasn't, and what she wishes technology could do next. She also walks us through her "Pillars of AgTech" framework — a practical guide for agribusinesses looking to evaluate and adopt new technologies — and shares her outlook on where agtech is headed for Australian agriculture. Hosts: Dr Wesley Moss and Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi Produced by Stephanie Lye This podcast is brought to you by The University of Western Australia's Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration. Find out more about our research or get in touch at https://www.uwa-cei.org/

Autonomous systems with EOX Tractors CEO Hilbrand Kuiken

Episode 2 | Hillbrand Kuiken - Autonomous systems and The Tractor of the Future In this episode of The Dirt, we sit down with Hilbrand Kuiken, owner and director of EOX Tractors — a Dutch manufacturer on a mission to bring emission-free, fully autonomous electric tractors to farms around the world, including right here in Australia. We cover: How EOX Tractors came to be and the vision behind the company How their electric tractors are designed and built What sets EOX apart from conventional farming machinery The challenges and opportunities of bringing European agtech to the Australian market What autonomous electric tractors mean for the future of farm operations If you've ever wondered what the tractor of the future looks like — this episode is for you. Hosts: Dr Wesley Moss and Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi Produced by Stephanie Lye This podcast is brought to you by The University of Western Australia's Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration. Find out more about our research or get in touch at https://www.uwa-cei.org/

Agricultural Robotics and Automation with Professor Salah Sukkarieh

Episode 1 | Professor Salah Sukkarieh — Robotics, Autonomy, and the Future of Australian Agriculture In this episode of The Dirt, we sit down with Professor Salah Sukkarieh, Professor of Robotics and Intelligent Systems at the University of Sydney and a world leader in autonomous systems. Salah shares his journey into agricultural robotics, the groundbreaking work coming out of the Australian Centre for Robotics (ACFR), and his vision for where technology is taking the food production industry. Whether you're a farmer, an engineer, a student thinking about a career in agtech, or just curious about how technology is helping to grow food — this episode is packed with insight from one of Australia's leading minds in agricultural robotics. Hosts: Dr Wesley Moss and Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi Produced by Stephanie Lye This podcast is brought to you by The University of Western Australia's Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration. Find out more about our research or get in touch at https://www.uwa-cei.org/

Open Source Tech, Weed Detection, and Self Learning with Dr Guy Coleman

Episode 5 | Dr Guy Coleman — Open Source Tech, Weed Detection, and Self Learning In this episode of The Dirt, we sit down with Dr Guy Coleman — a Western Australian innovator who's carved out a unique path in agtech through self-learning and curiosity. Now a postdoc at the University of Copenhagen, Guy shares how he went from WA to the cutting edge of agricultural robotics research in Europe. We cover: Guy's unconventional journey into agtech and how self-learning shaped his career His current research including the OWL project and advances in automated weed management Why Guy is passionate about open-source technology and why it matters for agriculture How the European agtech landscape compares to Australia The skills he developed along the way and what he thinks the future ag workforce needs The technologies he believes will be most transformative over the next decade Practical advice for anyone looking to carve out their own path in agtech This is a must-listen for students, early career engineers, and anyone who's ever wondered whether you need to follow the traditional path to make an impact in agriculture. Open Weed Locator (OWL) as mentioned in the episode: https://openweedlocator.org/ Hosts: Dr Wesley Moss and Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi Produced by Stephanie Lye This podcast is brought to you by The University of Western Australia's Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration. Find out more about our research or get in touch at https://www.uwa-cei.org/

Technology, Drought and the Future of Farming with Dr Jo Wisdom

In this episode of The Dirt, we sit down with Dr Jo Wisdom — plant physiologist, business owner, and Innovation Lead at the Grower Group Alliance, where she also directs the South West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub. Jo brings a rare breadth of experience across soils, viticulture, drought resilience, and agricultural technology — and in this conversation she shares her unique perspective on tech adoption and the future of farming. We cover: Jo's winding path into agriculture and the many roles she juggles today How agtech is being adopted differently across different industries The skills the next generation of agricultural students and professionals need to thrive What technologies Jo believes are poised to be truly transformative Practical advice for building a career at the intersection of agriculture and technology Hosts: Dr Wesley Moss and Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi Produced by Stephanie Lye This podcast is brought to you by The University of Western Australia's Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration. Find out more about our research or get in touch at https://www.uwa-cei.org/