Queensland University of Technology
Jonathan Roberts
Professor Jonathan Roberts is a Professor in Robotics at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Director of the Australian Cobotics Centre. He has more than 30 years’ experience in robotics and autonomous systems, including leading CSIRO’s Autonomous Systems Laboratory. His work has spanned autonomous mining vehicles, field robotics, autonomous aircraft, robotic sensing and collaborative robotics. Jonathan’s research focuses on how autonomous systems perceive their environment, make decisions and safely act in the physical world. He is particularly interested in the convergence of AI and autonomous systems, as AI increasingly moves beyond providing information and recommendations towards systems capable of making decisions and taking action. Across industry, this creates significant opportunities for autonomous systems to monitor, inspect and operate in complex real-world environments, while raising important questions about safety, human oversight and accountability.
Involved in:
- State of AI for Water: Where Are We Now? (October 2026)