Two industry leaders who are driving the agenda are featured in this edition of People who make the DIF.

Susan Harris, CEO, Intelligent Transport Systems Australia (ITS Australia) promotes the development and deployment of advanced technologies to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable transport across all public and private modes: air, sea, road, and rail.

Gavin Smith, President of Bosch Australia Chair of the Internet of Things Alliance Australia (IoTAA), the peak body for organisations involved in realising the potential of IoT for Australia.

Susan Harris CEO, ITS Australia

Susan Harris is eager to harness the benefits that technology can deliver to business and the Australian community. With over 20 years’ experience across transport and business and now as CEO of ITS Australia since 2011 she leads the team working across industry, government and academia to shape future transport.

Through the global network of ITS Associations and participating as a member of the Board of the ITS World Congress, Susan has strong linkages with the international ITS community, ensuring Australian advances can be shared overseas while also keeping abreast of international developments in this rapidly evolving field.

Susan has built a career in consulting and in industry to look at collaborative solutions involving government, industry and academia.  This industry experience is combined with professional qualifications including a bachelor’s degree majoring in Environmental Management and an MBA from Melbourne Business School. Other affiliations include: Convenor of the Austroads Connected and Automated Vehicle Industry Reference Group and as a member of the Steering Committee for this activity; member of the National Transport Commission Industry Advisory Group, Monash University Institute of Transport Studies Industry Advisory Board and member of the Space Cross Sectoral Interest Group, established under the Trusted information Sharing Network for Critical Infrastructure Resilience.

Susan talks about with the benefits of conferences in this short interview. Melbourne hosted the ITS World Congress in 2016 where more than of 11,500 delegates from over 70 countries, came to discuss public policy, innovation, technology and advancements in the transport technology space. The legacy of the World Congress continues to shape the industry in Australia and internationally and the conversation continues at the 7th Australian ITS Summit 2019 as part of DIF and registrations are open.

Gavin Smith, President, Bosch Australia

Gavin Smith is the President of Bosch Australia and has a passion for showcasing what Australian innovation and expertise can contribute to the Future of Mobility.

Gavin joined Bosch Australia in 1990 following 10 years in various Information Technology roles at a number of well-known Multinationals in Australia and New Zealand. After a successful two years in Frankfurt as part of Bosch’s Automotive Original Equipment Sales team, Gavin held a number of senior leadership positions in the company’s Australian business including Regional President of the Powertrain Division from 2003 and Regional President of the Vehicle Safety Systems Division from 2008.

In 2011, Gavin was promoted to the position of President and Chairman of the local subsidiary Robert Bosch Australia. As the world’s biggest supplier to the automotive industry, Bosch believes the future of mobility will be connected, automated and electrified. Bosch is also a leading Internet of Things (IoT) company and has committed that all product categories will be connected by 2020 – a key enabler for Smart Cities and Industry 4.0.

In 2016 Gavin was appointed as the Chair of the Internet of Things Alliance Australia (IoTAA), the peak body for organisations involved in realising the potential of IoT for Australia. He is also a Director of The Yield, the award winning Australian AgTech company, and Toongi Pastoral, a subsidiary of Alkane Resources.

DIF2019 Feature Events

Future of Mobility Summit

27 August, Robert Bosch Innovation Centre, Clayton

An engaging lineup of speakers will address the disruption, application and adaptation necessary to realise the benefits of these technologies for a brighter future.  

Panel Speakers

·         Gavin Smith and Mark Jackman, Robert Bosch Australia

·         Troy D'Souza, Toyota Motor Corporation Australia

·         Christopher Schultz, Nissan Motor (Co). Australia

·         Martin Gunsberg, Communications Director, Ford Motor Company

·         Jim Jones, Volgren Australia

·         Julian Broadbent, Applied Electric Vehicles

·         Mark Cameron, SEA Electric

·         Susan Harris, ITS Australia

·         John Karambalis, Stealth Electric Bikes

·         Kathy Coultas, Victorian Government

and many more...

Expo experience

The summit will also provide an immersive experience with interactive displays and demonstrations including:

·         Australia's most advanced automated driving vehicle

·         An array of connected and electrified display vehicles

·         The first and only fully autonomous Formula SAE race car

·         eBike demonstrations

·         Virtual reality and simulator experiences

·         Tours of the Bosch technical centre

Please note, the first Future of Mobility summit is an industry event with limited places for invited guests. If you are interested to attend please contact the organisers. 

ITS2019: Shaping Future Transport

28-29 August, MCEC

Continuing with the conference theme of SHAPING FUTURE TRANSPORT, the 7th Australian ITS Summit 2019 will see a single-stream Auditorium-style program delivered with key national and international speakers invited to share insights, experiences, case studies and project updates from around the globe.

Speakers will participate in open panel discussions, meet and greet sessions and be accessible at social networking functions. Optional Technical Tours to Melbourne’s key transport technology hubs will be developed.

Topics highlights below but more details in the program online.

·         Mobility as a Service, People and Environmental Sustainability

·         Connected and Automated Vehicles, Vehicle and Network Safety, Internet of Things in Transport

·         Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence in Transport

·         Freight and Logistics, including Aviation and Maritime

·         Policy, Standards and Harmonisation

·         Transport Pricing, Tolling and Charging

Keynote Speakers

·         Scott Thompson CEO Lexus Australia

·         Paul C. Ajegba Director, Michigan Department of Transportation US

·         Kirk Steudle Senior Vice President, Econolite Group US

·         Andras Csepinszky Director of Advanced Automotive Technology, NNG, Hungary

Read our other article Driving Victoria’s future transport