Peter Milani from Ichor Autonomy discusses his journey in robotics, particularly focusing on military applications. Peter is one of the smartest engineers we know, and has bootstrapped his own autonomous urban exploration drone that can be used to support complex urban clearance operations for infantry, special forces, law enforcement and more. 

He shares insights on the challenges faced in developing autonomous systems, the importance of teamwork, and the ethical considerations surrounding robotics in warfare. The discussion also touches on the Australian Defence industry and the need for innovation and support for local companies.

Takeaways

• Building a good team is crucial for overcoming challenges quickly and effectively.
• A key challenge for robotics is localisation (knowing where it is in space) - and it's increasingly difficult in GPS denied environments.
• Understanding the basics of autonomy is key to building good robotics.
• Using robotics to reduce exposure of soldiers to danger is more ethical than replacing people's jobs.
• Defence innovation in Australia needs more support to keep IP and technology in Australia.