Robots and humans in harmony

Downer Group has reinforced its commitment to a workforce-centred approach to automation, announcing an expanded partnership with Australian robotics company Future Maintenance Technologies (FMT), aimed at growing the use of robotic rail maintenance systems across Australia and overseas.

Downer is one of the largest providers of rail and infrastructure services in Australia and New Zealand.

The agreement marks the next stage in a collaboration that has seen the two companies pilot autonomous inspection technologies within operational rail environments, with a focus on improving safety, efficiency and maintenance outcomes. The partnership backs a practical approach to automation that keeps skilled people at the centre of maintenance operations rather than substituting them with robots.

The systems are designed to improve inspection consistency and reduce the time workers spend in hazardous positions, allowing technicians to focus on diagnosis, planning and other engineering work.

The partnership began at Downer depots in Auburn, New South Wales, and Pakenham, Victoria. Teams from Downer Rail & Transit Systems worked with Future Maintenance Technologies engineers to test autonomous inspection tools on the Waratah and HCMT fleets.

"We have never believed the version of the automation story that goes 'robots in, people out'. What really works - what our customers want and what we have proven on the ground with FMT - is robots and humans in harmony. The robots take on the jobs that are repetitive, hazardous or simply impossible to do consistently at scale, and our skilled people get to spend their time on the higher-value engineering work that keeps fleets running," said Darren Hungerford, Executive General Manager, XDNA, Downer.

He said Downer had supported Future Maintenance Technologies from an early stage because the operational benefits were already visible.

"We backed FMT early because we could see the tangible benefits for our customers, safer inspections, better data and more effective use of our workforce. This next phase is about taking what we've proven together and delivering it for more customers, in more markets," Hungerford said.

The next stage of growth will include new markets beyond Australia and New Zealand. The United Kingdom has been identified as a priority because of similarities with Australia, including ageing rolling stock, workforce shortages and pressure on reliability.