Innovation Central Melbourne: A Catalyst for Industry-Academic Collaboration in Australia’s Digital Future

In a world where technology is rapidly evolving, businesses and research institutions are racing to develop solutions that meet the needs of an increasingly digital society. At the forefront of this movement in Australia is Innovation Central Melbourne (ICM), located at La Trobe University’s Digital Innovation Hub.

With strong backing from Cisco and the broader National Industry Innovation Network (NIIN), ICM serves as a nexus where industry and academia come together to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges. Led by Jeff Jones, ICM plays a crucial role in advancing technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G, providing a platform for experimentation, collaboration, and real-world solutions developed through unique co-design programs and rapid prototyping initiatives.

The Vision of Innovation Central Melbourne

Innovation Central Melbourne is part of a broader network of innovation hubs across Australia, connected under the NIIN umbrella. This network, spearheaded by Cisco, was created to bring together academia, industry, and government agencies to foster collaboration and innovation on a national scale.

ICM’s focus areas include digital technology, healthcare, biotech and agriculture—sectors that reflect both La Trobe University’s academic strengths and the evolving demands of the Australian economy.

At its core, ICM thrives on co-design and rapid prototyping. Jones, the Director of ICM, explains that companies facing specific technological challenges often start with co-design sessions. During these sessions, the ICM team helps businesses define their problems, ask discovery questions, and map out solutions. Once the problem is well-defined, the team moves quickly toward developing rapid prototypes, testing ideas, and determining the best way forward.

The center’s ability to facilitate both short-term and long-term research projects makes it a valuable resource for companies of all sizes. Whether it’s a three-month rapid prototyping project or a multi-year research initiative, ICM provides the expertise and tools necessary to develop real-world solutions.

As Jones points out, this flexibility is one of ICM’s strengths, allowing it to work on both commercial R&D and more fundamental research, depending on the company’s needs.

Leveraging the Power of the NIIN

The Cisco National Industry Innovation Network (NIIN) is a critical component of ICM’s success. This network brings together several innovation hubs across Australia, uniting universities and industries to drive forward-looking projects. One of the NIIN’s key advantages, according to Jones, is its ability to bring smaller companies into the fold.

Many Australian companies lack the resources to engage in large-scale R&D, but through the NIIN, they can tap into the expertise and infrastructure of major institutions like La Trobe University and Cisco.

Through the NIIN, ICM has embarked on numerous cutting-edge projects that are helping to shape the future of industry in Australia. One such project involves the use of AI and computer vision to measure workplace dynamics. In collaboration with Cisco, ICM is exploring how AI technologies can be used to monitor and optimize office environments.

By integrating Cisco Spaces, Meraki, and Webex technologies, ICM is helping companies analyze how office spaces are being used and how to design them more effectively. The project also delves into “group dynamics”, using computer vision to track how people interact in a given space and assessing whether the office’s design is truly functional.

This type of collaboration highlights the value of ICM and the broader NIIN. By connecting organizations that may have never worked together before, ICM is able to foster innovation that benefits not only individual companies but entire industries.

Enhancing Telehealth Through Augmented Reality

One of the areas of outstanding work at ICM is in digital healthcare.

In partnership with Cisco and Victoria-based healthcare providers, ICM has been working to improve telehealth platforms by integrating augmented reality (AR) into remote care settings.

One of the key use cases involves paramedics and doctors who need to communicate with patients in real-time, often while performing hands-on assessments in remote locations. By using AR devices, healthcare professionals can maintain hands-free interaction with both patients and medical experts, enhancing their ability to perform detailed exams without the need to hold traditional devices.

This project not only improves the quality of patient care but also highlights ICM’s focus on blending advanced technologies with practical, real-world applications. The use of AR in healthcare is just one example of how ICM is leveraging its expertise in AI, IoT, and digital technology to create solutions that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Innovation Through Creativity: The MasterTech Program

Another key initiative at ICM is the MasterTech program, an innovation challenge that encourages creativity, collaboration, and rapid problem-solving.

MasterTech is akin to “MasterChef with technology”. It’s where students and professionals are given a “pantry” of technological tools and tasked with developing innovative solutions over a five-day period.

Under Jones’ leadership, the program has been pioneered as one of ICM’s commitment to blending education, creativity, and industry collaboration. Mastertech is built principles from Jones’ book, Collective Social Intelligence (CSI). Jones’ collaborated with Digital Transformation Director at Ivanhoe Grammar School, Steve Brophy, who read CSI so that the principles outlined could be developed into the Mastertech programme for groups of 20-30 students.

The MasterTech program provides a platform for participants to push the boundaries of technology, often leading to impressive results.

One such project involved the creation of an AI tool called “Jenny,” which helps visually impaired individuals navigate through physical spaces. Jenny acts as a guide, offering helpful suggestions based on the individual’s environment and ensuring that they avoid obstacles or make the best choices, such as taking an elevator instead of stairs.

Another project explored the use of holographic communication devices to assist deaf individuals by providing real-time sign language interpretation using Cisco Webex and Microsoft HoloLens technologies.

These projects underscore the potential of innovation when it’s driven by collaboration, creativity, and hands-on experimentation. The MasterTech program not only fosters new ideas but also connects students with industry professionals, giving them real-world experience in tackling complex problems.

In 2024, The MasterTech Challenge ran as an exciting five-day hackathon where bright minds from Innovation Central Hubs in Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, and Brisbane collaborated at Cisco Live. This event, funded by Corporate Sponsor Coles, took place at Cisco Live, with over 6,000 in-person attendees and a potential online viewership of up to one million, offering a significant stage for participants to tackle industry challenges and showcase their innovative solutions.

Building a More Sustainable Future

Sustainability is a major focus for both La Trobe University and ICM. One of the La Trobe University’s most impactful projects in this space is the Latrobe Energy Analytics Platform (LEAP). LEAP is an IoT-based system that monitors energy consumption across La Trobe’s campuses.

By collecting real-time data from every energy-consuming device, LEAP has enabled the university to optimize its energy use and reduce costs.

The success of LEAP demonstrates the power of IoT and data-driven technology in creating more sustainable practices. ICM is also using similar technology to assist organizations on their journey to achieving net-zero emissions. For example, the Smart Zero project, a collaboration between Cisco and La Trobe, helps businesses track their progress toward sustainability goals and identify areas where they can reduce their environmental impact.

ICM’s work in agriculture further highlights its commitment to sustainability. The center is involved in projects that use IoT sensors and drones to monitor crops and optimize irrigation systems. By leveraging these technologies, farmers can reduce water usage and limit the need for harmful pesticides, ultimately improving both their efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Shaping Australia’s Digital Innovation Ecosystem

Jeff Jones’ vision for ICM extends far beyond its current projects. He envisions building a more connected and collaborative national innovation ecosystem in Australia, one that rivals the larger, more established innovation hubs in countries like the U.S.

To achieve this, Jones and his team are working on creating “virtual precincts”, where universities, companies, and research centers across Australia can collaborate as if they were in the same physical space. mThe NIIN provides a foundation for this activity.

In Australia, where vast geographic distances can hinder collaboration, the concept of virtual innovation hubs is a game-changer. COVID-19 has further accelerated the adoption of hybrid work models, making companies more comfortable with the idea of collaborating across distances. ICM is leveraging this shift to build stronger partnerships with companies across the country, using digital tools and platforms to foster real-time, virtual collaboration.

One of the key goals of ICM is to bring more small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into the fold. Historically, smaller companies have struggled to engage in large-scale R&D due to a lack of resources.

However, through ICM and the broader NIIN, these businesses now have the opportunity to collaborate with major institutions and access the expertise they need to innovate and grow. ICM is also exploring ways to support startups, including running hackathons that bring together students, startups, and established businesses to solve industry problems.

The Road Ahead: A Bright Future for Innovation Central Melbourne

As ICM looks to the future, the center’s impact on Australia’s technological landscape is only set to grow.

Under Jones’ leadership, ICM is at the forefront of a movement that is transforming how industries approach innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. From healthcare to agriculture, digital technology to AI, ICM is helping businesses and researchers unlock new possibilities and solve complex challenges.

The vision for ICM is clear: to foster a connection between itself and the entire National Industry Infrastructure Network (NIIN) so that businesses can get the support they need to drive meaningful, real-world change. With projects like MasterTech and LEAP already making a tangible impact, ICM is well on its way to becoming a critical player in Australia’s digital future.

In a world where innovation is often the key to success, ICM’s work proves that collaboration, creativity, and cutting-edge technology are the building blocks of a brighter tomorrow. By fostering a culture of open innovation, ICM is helping to build a more connected and sustainable Australia—one where companies and institutions work together to shape the future.