About ESA
Embedded Systems Australia is a horizontally aligned, project-based national industry cluster. Our members are interested in developing embedded systems technologies and marketing smart products to global supply chains. The activities span the complete product life cycle of embedded systems development and deployment. These include Design: electronics, software, computer aided design and methodologies; Manufacturing & systems integration to create competitive smart products for vertical applications; and Marketing, sales and support of embedded systems product development.
Mission
The mission of the cluster is
“To facilitate the development of a sustainable Australian Embedded Systems industry.”
Objectives
The cluster objectives are as follows.
- To connect Australia’s Embedded Systems community to achieve critical mass.
- To promote the Australian Embedded Systems industry and facilitate global commercial engagement.
- To foster advances in R&D, technology and best practice in Embedded Systems companies.
- To undertake commercially relevant projects directed at achieving global impact.
- To catalyse the uptake of Embedded Systems in products by Australia’s manufacturing industry.
- To facilitate professional development and access to experts.
- To advise on and promote Embedded Systems related programs in tertiary education organisations.
- To promote Embedded Systems related careers to secondary and tertiary education students, teachers and parents.
- To be a voice for Embedded Systems development in Australia with respect to government and media etc.
Organisation
ESA is an industry-led cluster managed by its Steering Committee. At present, ESA is not (yet) an independent body, rather, it is a trading name of NICTA with its own audited financial accounts. This is a temporary arranagement until such time as the Steering Committee decides ESA should become a fully independent entity. NICTA endevours to give ESA maximum autonomy within corporate governence constaints.
Founding Organisations
You can read about the founders of ESA here.
Founding Organisations
ESA was officially launched on 11 December 2007. This followed a year of discussions of a consortium of key supporters. A significant early event was a Roundtable Forum held on 27 March 2007. For the first time in Australia we gathered embedded systems practicioners into the one room to explore the value of forming a cluster. The consortium — composed of industry, industry associations, government and research representatives — became ESA's founding steering committee. This committee eventually disbanded in January 2009 as part of a long-planned move toward a new funding model and a new Terms of Reference for the cluster.
The Warren Centre played a significant role in promoting the idea of supporting the embedded systems industry for several years prior to 2007. Under Chris Nicol's leadership, NICTA drove the formation of the cluster provided key resources for its establishment and ongoing success.
The following individuals deserve special mention (in no particular order): Richard Krohn (AEEMA), Andy Wyatt & David Bull (BCS), Peter Thompson (CiSRA), Rami Banna (Cochlear), Janice Humphreys (GIC), John Humphreys (GIC), Nick Fondas (iTech), Tim Schroeder (Microsoft), Peter Edmonds (NICTA), ESA Chair - Chris Nicol (NICTA), Neil Temperley (NICTA), Sumeet Kumar (NSW DSRD), Rachel Sieff (NSW DSRD), John Oates (Resmed), Tony Strasser (SKM & The Warren Centre), Robert Mitchell (The Warren Centre), Stuart Cumming (inContact & The Warren Centre).
