CSIRO's ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) Centre in Brisbane has been trialling key components of the technology at Rio Tinto Aluminium's Bell Bay Smelter in Tasmania.
The group has been developing driverless vehicle technologies since 2005.
The goal is to have these autonomous vehicles conducting operations that are repetitive, hazardous or expensive for people to undertake.
Project leader and Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO's ICT Centre Dr Ash Tews, says localisation and vehicle tracking technology has been incorporated into a hot metal carrier (HMC) used at the smelter site but it has wider applications for a range of industries.
WorkSafe Victoria says there were over 1,321 claims reported to forklift accidents from FY 2003/4 to 2007/8. This technology could put an end to forklift-related injuries as well as help to create a safer workplace.
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