Nexobot wins Australia's first robotics sprint

ARM Hub has announced that Melbourne-based Nexobot has been named the winner of Australia’s inaugural Propel-AIR accelerator, earning founder Dominic Lindsay an exclusive international residency at MassRobotics — understood to be the world’s largest independent robotics hub — in Boston.

Seascape Autonomy, developing next-generation underwater robots that capture detailed ocean floor imagery, finished as runner-up in the competition that showcased Australia’s emerging AI and robotics ecosystem.

Nexobot is building what it says is the world’s lowest-cost parcel sorting solution, enabling regional and small-scale logistics operators to automate for the first time. The robotics platform is designed to cut walking time, boost accuracy and improve safety at a fraction of traditional system costs.

“This is a critical next step for Nexobot in putting our vision of low-cost flexible automation into the hands of small to medium-sized operations,” Lindsay said. “I have spent the last decade contributing to supply chains and realised we needed to build automation available to thousands of small-to-medium Australian businesses without the capital or skills to deploy current market offerings.”

Lindsay’s solution operates on a robotics-as-a-service model where customers pay a low per-carton fee instead of investing millions in infrastructure. The first live deployment in Warragul, regional Victoria, has delivered measurable improvements in productivity, safety and sorting accuracy.

As Propel-AIR’s grand prize winner, Lindsay gains unparalleled access to the MassRobotics network, connecting with global robotics firms, venture capital and US supply chain partners to scale internationally while contributing to Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability.

Tom Ryden, Executive Director of MassRobotics, praised the Australian cohort’s calibre.

“I was impressed with all the startups that presented, which shows the strength of the robotics ecosystem in Australia,” he said. “We look forward to hosting the winning team at MassRobotics and helping them make connections that will accelerate their growth.”

Brisbane-based investor and judge Brian Cooke highlighted the national significance.

“The overall event showed there are smart people and innovation in this country. By supporting those people, Australia will be a stronger country overall,” he said. “The winning product demonstrates exceptional innovation and a clear pathway to scalability, addressing a critical market need.”

ARM Hub founder and CEO Professor Cori Stewart emphasised the program’s broader impact.

“This program captures the essence of ‘Future Made in Australia’, ensuring that the economic value of Australian innovation is developed here in Australia and scaled for a global market,” she said. “By supporting robotics companies like Nexobot and Seascape Autonomy, we’re building the nation’s industrial capability, creating skilled jobs and securing Australia’s place in valuable global supply chains.”

Minister for Science, Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres highlighted the government’s commitment to the sector.

“Innovation is one of Australia’s greatest strengths. Programs like this help showcase how we can harness our tremendous robotics and AI know-how to drive our national productivity, and I congratulate the winner and all the finalists,” Ayres said.

The Propel-AIR Accelerator program was supported by key partners including NVIDIA, MassRobotics, and the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

Image: The Nexobot system in action.