Intelligent Systems for Agriculture

The Deakin Institute for Intelligent Systems partners with the agricultural sector to drive innovation, resilience and a more sustainable farming future.

The agricultural sector is facing rapid transformation, shaped by climate variability, technological advancement, workforce pressures and evolving market demands.

Farming businesses can’t be left behind. Agriculture 5.0 will rely on human-centric AI applications that will explore productivity and efficiency, as well as business systems and processes.

Deakin Institute for Intelligent Systems researchers respond directly to complex challenges by applying its translational research and evidence-based insights to applied innovation and practical solutions.

At the Institute, researchers have optimised the capacity of human-machine interaction, with a track record of developing solutions to complex challenges in manufacturing, defence, health, transport, water, and telecommunications.

Now, IISRI has begun adapting this expertise in Agrifood production, circular economy and supply chain developments.

Research focus areas

Autonomy and Robotics

Digital Twins

Supply Chain Systems

AI for Agriculture

Systems Modelling

Drones and Vision Systems

Human Factors and Human Performance – for example, situational awareness

How we work

Let Deakin Institute for Intelligent Systems help you stay ahead of the competition, innovate your business or develop a new idea.

Situated at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus, the Institute is part of the world-class Future Economy Precinct, where businesses combine their capabilities and ideas with Deakin’s ability to deliver innovative real-world solutions to drive commercial outcomes.

Research: We are leading translational research in engineering and technology of intelligent systems
Development: We are creating novel and innovative intelligent solutions for real-world problems
Commercial-Ready: We deliver value-added and commercial-ready intelligent products and services

Case studies

Digital twin for efficient production

Quickstep and Deakin Institute for Intelligent Systems developed novel digital manufacturing tools for Quickstep’s new freight aircraft facility. In 2024, the project successfully delivered a capacity model, digital twin, and automation/robotics integration, demonstrating cost-effective and efficient production.

Systems Thinking tool in action

Systems Thinking in Community Knowledge Exchange (STICKE) is a new tool that revolutionises the way insights surrounding complex issues can be obtained, shared, analysed and tracked through the power of systems thinking. The tool has also supported businesses, such as companies in seafood and wine, and government to pivot their export operations.

Autonomous Tankers of the Future

Deakin Institute for Intelligent Systems was commissioned by the Natural Hazards Research Australia (NHRA) on behalf of the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to design the Tanker of the Future. The project is focused on integrating technologies such as autonomous suppression systems, fire-edge detection, and remote-controlled monitors to significantly reduce the need for firefighters to operate from the rear deck during grassfire response.

Autonomous leader-follower trucks on the open road

Deakin Institute for Intelligent Systems researchers developed Autonomous Leader- Follower Vehicles with Obstacle Avoidance using the latest class-leading software and hardware technologies. The new system being developed for the Australian Army resulted in Australia’s first test of driverless vehicles on public roads with traffic.

Implementing Food Traceability Program

The Implementing Food Traceability Program is an initiative of the Deakin University’s Food Traceability Lab and industry sponsors – recognising the need for end-to-end traceability is a key supply chain challenge that extends beyond any single organisation.

AI for mosquito management

Mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest animal. Spreading diseases like malaria, dengue and zika, mosquito-borne pathogens claim up to a million human lives every year. When mosquitoes carry diseases, the tiny electrical signals in their nerve cells show characteristic signals, and their flight behaviour changes too. Graduate researcher Danial Sharifrazi, under the supervision of Professor Asim Bhatti, hopes his research can help the global fight against mosquito-borne disease.

Connect with our research team

Rose Elphick-Darling Research Fellow

Professor Asim Bhatti Cognition and Performance Assessment

Professor Shady Mohamed Signals and Systems

Associate Professor Zoran Najdovski