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A New High-Tech Industry Begins Down Under

Two Australian companies, Nautronix Ltd and WetPC P/L, announced today signing of a Sub-Licence Agreement that will lead to establishment of a new Australian industry geared towards the production of underwater computers for world markets.

The Agreement enables Nautronix Ltd to commercialise technologies that were originally developed at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) for use by its researchers. WetPC P/L has an exclusive, world-wide licence from AIMS to exploit these technologies. Both Nautronix Ltd and WetPC P/L intend working together to produce underwater computers for a wide range of markets including defence, marine biology, maritime archaeology, research, offshore oil and gas, commercial and recreational diving.

The state-of-the-art computers will be either diver wearable or handheld and have the latest technology accessories including digital compass, depth and temperature sensors, and digital camera. In order to increase functionality and meet the requirements of some market segments, Nautronix Ltd will incorporate some of its own sophisticated proprietary technologies including through water acoustic communications and hydroacoustic navigation systems.

With world-wide patents to protect the core of the technology, a unique one-handed computer interface, and no other similar products currently available to meet global requirements, Australian industry is well positioned to have a strong presence in the market.

“Both Nautronix Ltd and WetPCP/L possess technology and expertise that combined produce an unrivalled underwater computer product suitable for both military and commercial applications”, said Mr Ross Stuart, Director of Nautronix Ltd. “Nautronix are committed to the further development of the proven prototype systems and welcome the formalisation of what has been, and will continue to be, a productive relationship with WetPC.” Managing Director of WetPC P/L, Dr Peter Moran, said, "the Agreement heralds the beginning of an exciting new Australian industry that will lead to increased exports and employment". He went on to say "WetPC was very pleased to have developed a formal relationship with such an innovative and progressive company as Nautronix".

Further Information -

Dr Peter Moran
Managing Director
Phone: 61 2 6260 4652
Fax: 61 2 6260 4649

We respect your privacy and do not make your information available to any other business.

Mr R. Stuart. Director. Nautronix Ltd.
Ph. 08-94305900; Fax. 08-94305901; e-mail. ross.stuart@nautronix.com.au

WetPC Licence Agreement paves way for World Leadership in Computing Down Under

The Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism, the Honourable John Moore, announced today that the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) had just signed a licence agreement with WetPC P/L for the commercialisation of underwater computing technologies invented at the Institute.

The technologies comprise an underwater computing system (called the WetPC® Computer) and a novel interface (called Kord® Interface Technology) which enables users to control the computer with one hand. Although designed initially for the collection and display of research data, the WetPC® Computer has many other applications such as defence, law enforcement and paramilitary, commercial diving (e.g. offshore oil and gas, maritime archaeology, and maintenance of underwater structures. Eventually it may also be used for recreational diving.

The principals of WetPC P/L, Peter Moran and Bruce Macdonald, are former employees of AIMS, and were instrumental in inventing and developing the technologies. Dr Moran, Managing Director of WetPC P/L, said ‘The technologies are highly innovative and have considerable commercial potential. Independent assessments have shown that no similar technologies are available in the world at the present time. Our company will focus on providing R&D products which will enable other companies to incorporate them within either existing or new technologies.’

The Minister, who was present during signing of the Agreement, said ‘One of AIMS’ main objectives as a federal statutory authority is to transfer technology for the benefit of Australian industry and the Australian community. In so doing it has protected the technologies by lodging patent applications in a number of countries. As a consequence, Australia and Australian Industry are now in a very good position to become world leaders in this new field of information technology which has world markets estimated in excess of $200m per year’

Despite having only just signed the Licence Agreement, products have already started to emerge. AIMS and WetPC P/L have recently completed a project to provide the Royal Australian Navy with two prototype Underwater Combat Systems for use by Mine Clearance Divers. The prototype systems were designed and manufactured in AIMS workshops. Staff in the AIMS technical workshops have considerable experience in the design and manufacture of underwater equipment.

WetPC P/L is currently seeking strategic alliances and partnerships with other Australian companies in order to commercialise the technologies for a variety of world markets. Initially the focus for commercialisation will be in defence markets where there is a considerable demand for the technologies. WetPC P/L has formed an alliance with two other Australian companies, GEC-Marconi Systems P/L and Nautronix Ltd, to bid for defence projects in the UK and the USA.

Bruce Macdonald, the inventor of the Technologies, said ‘In the longer term markets for the Kord® Software, which is used to control the computer, may be much larger and may extend to: defence (e.g. mobile computing for soldiers), vehicleonics, mobile communications, remote controllers, handicapped aids, and Internet appliances'.