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We kicked off with opening remarks from Renu Kannu, a safety briefing from Cam Stevens and Aaliyah Nestoridis – Culbong warmly Welcomed us to Country, then we went straight into big-picture thinking about where automation and robotics are heading for WA.

Jack Withinshaw, Co-Founder of Airspeeder, set the tone – showing how electric flying car racing is “phase zero” for the next mobility revolution and a high-performance testbed for AI, sensing, networks and autonomy.

Zane Prickett then positioned the AARP as critical innovation infrastructure – the “roads” that let innovators move faster. From pre-approved drill benches to early signs of economic impact, his message was clear: if WA wants to lead in robotics, automation and zero-emissions technologies, dedicated, fit-for-purpose test environments like the AARP are non-negotiable.

Our Investment Leaders in Dialogue panel dug into where capital is flowing and where opportunity sits in METS – with Moderator Paul Lucey (Project 412) Andrew Jessett (RCF), Tamryn Barker (Founders Factory), Lauren McGregor (National Reconstruction Fund Corporation), Robert Daw (Vistry) and Holly Bridgwater (Unearthed). The big takeaway: investors back teams and business models, not just tech – and choosing the right type of capital is as important as raising it.

In the afternoon, Moderator Charlie Gunningham from Meshpoints StartupWA WA led a conversation on building cross-sector ecosystems – with Daniel Moss (Office of Defence Industry Support), Jeroen van Dalen, Brianna Peake (Invest and Trade Commissioner, WA) and Jake Harris (Unearthed). Dual-use opportunities and ideas like an underground, GPS-denied test facility to complement the AARP’s surface robotics capability showed what “next” could look like for WA.

Between sessions, the floor was pumping – live demos, robots and rigs in motion, and deep-dive conversations at every stand. Huge shout-out to exhibitors including Epiroc, IMDEX, Hexagon AB, @Wireline Services Group, Chironix, SICK Sensor Intelligence, @AUTONOMA, Perception Academy, RS, @Autônomo, CAN Automotion Pty Ltd Australia, Jevons Robotics, @Kuzma, FBR and Switch Technologies for opening the hood on your tech and showcasing capability.

To our speakers, panellists, moderators and exhibitors – thank you for bringing your insight (and honesty) to the stage. To everyone who joined us – investors, operators, founders and ecosystem partners – thank you for showing up ready to share, question and collaborate. And to our partners – DevelopmentWA, CORE Innovation Hub and West Tech Fest – thank you for backing a space where industry, innovators and investors can collide in such a hands-on way.

If you couldn’t make it this time, you missed something special.