How we chose this year's Sustainability Leaders winners
The Financial Review Sustainability Leaders list celebrates Australian companies making real progress in tackling sustainability challenges and creating benefits for their businesses.
To identify Australia's exceptional Sustainability Leaders, The Australian Financial Review partnered with Schneider Electric, a global industrial technology leader creating impact as the trusted partner for sustainability and efficiency, through electrification, automation and digitalisation.
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Perth Now
35 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Robots set to conquer the final frontiers
Small robots may be able to roam the moon's surface, comb the sea floor, or undertake search-and-rescue missions for longer after a breakthrough by Australian researchers. Three scientists at the Queensland University of Technology released their findings on Thursday, outlining a method to create a camera that processes images in ways similar to the human brain. While there are further developments to unlock, they say neuromorphic computing could deliver a robotic revolution. The latest discovery, published in the Science Robotics journal, uses a camera and computer processor the QUT team called LENS, which stands for "locational encoding with neuromorphic systems". The system is inspired by the way the human brain works, author and QUT neuroscientist Adam Hines said, to save more than 90 per cent of power compared to a traditional robotic navigation system. "The brain is so energy-efficient, it only uses about 20 watts of power to do everything from keeping us alert and awake and talking to constantly navigating and predicting where we're going next," Dr Hines told AAP. "Traditional AI systems like ChatGPT use significantly more power than that so taking inspiration from the brain is a really great way to save on energy." The LENS camera sensor and processor work by registering changes, such as light and movement, rather than recording images the entire time it operates. The QUT research team, which included Michael Milford and Dr Tobias Fisher, tested the system on an eight kilometre journey and could make it work using 180 kilobytes or up to 300 times less storage than a traditional system. Saving so much energy and storage could let robots operate and navigate by themselves in new areas or for significantly longer durations, Dr Hines said. "The real use cases in mobile robotics... are search and rescue, underwater monitoring of places like the Great Barrier Reef, or even really extremely remote areas like space explorations," he said. Neuromorphic computing has been a target for previous research but QUT Centre for Robotics director Professor Milford said it was vital to translate theory into practical applications. "Impactful robotics and tech means both pioneering groundbreaking research but also doing all the translational work to ensure it meets end user expectations and requirements," he said.


The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Madrid rivals ride the same wave in SailGP move
Wall Street investment powerhouse Ares Management has sailed into partnership with Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe, acquiring a minority stake in the France SailGP Team - where old rivals suddenly find themselves in the same boat. The $US546 billion asset manager, which counts Atletico Madrid among its sports investments, now shares an ownership table with Mbappe's Coalition Capital in the high-speed sailing franchise, creating a curious alliance between the Spanish capital's two soccer teams. "We are thrilled to enter the league and join the France SailGP Team's existing owners group at this inflection point," said Jim Miller, Co-Lead of Ares' Sports, Media and Entertainment strategy, whose firm also holds stakes in Inter Miami and McLaren Racing. The investment coincides with SailGP revealing it will add two new national teams for its 2026 season, expanding to 14 flying catamarans that rocket across global waters at speeds approaching 100 km/h. "The investment in our French team by an organisation with a stellar portfolio underlines the strength of SailGP's global league model," said league managing director Andrew Thompson. One of the six original SailGP Teams, the French team is spearheaded by driver Quentin Delapierre who assembled a stellar crew line-up when he took over as driver in Season 2. Known for executing stellar starts and performing in wild and windy conditions, the team holds the SailGP racing speed record of 99.94 km/h set in Saint Tropez, Season 4. France are currently sixth in the standings after a recent podium finish in New York. Spain, led by Olympic champion Diego Botin, top the 2024–25 season standings with 46 points. The next race comes at the British Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth on July 19–20. Founded in 2019 by Oracle's Larry Ellison and sailing great Russell Coutts, SailGP has rapidly evolved from centralised ownership to a franchise model that has attracted celebrities and institutional investors alike. Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds recently acquired the Australian team, while a consortium of sports industry leaders took control of the Italian entry. Professional services firm Deloitte will manage the selection process for the two new teams, with initial bids closing in mid-August and final decisions expected by early September. Wall Street investment powerhouse Ares Management has sailed into partnership with Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe, acquiring a minority stake in the France SailGP Team - where old rivals suddenly find themselves in the same boat. The $US546 billion asset manager, which counts Atletico Madrid among its sports investments, now shares an ownership table with Mbappe's Coalition Capital in the high-speed sailing franchise, creating a curious alliance between the Spanish capital's two soccer teams. "We are thrilled to enter the league and join the France SailGP Team's existing owners group at this inflection point," said Jim Miller, Co-Lead of Ares' Sports, Media and Entertainment strategy, whose firm also holds stakes in Inter Miami and McLaren Racing. The investment coincides with SailGP revealing it will add two new national teams for its 2026 season, expanding to 14 flying catamarans that rocket across global waters at speeds approaching 100 km/h. "The investment in our French team by an organisation with a stellar portfolio underlines the strength of SailGP's global league model," said league managing director Andrew Thompson. One of the six original SailGP Teams, the French team is spearheaded by driver Quentin Delapierre who assembled a stellar crew line-up when he took over as driver in Season 2. Known for executing stellar starts and performing in wild and windy conditions, the team holds the SailGP racing speed record of 99.94 km/h set in Saint Tropez, Season 4. France are currently sixth in the standings after a recent podium finish in New York. Spain, led by Olympic champion Diego Botin, top the 2024–25 season standings with 46 points. The next race comes at the British Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth on July 19–20. Founded in 2019 by Oracle's Larry Ellison and sailing great Russell Coutts, SailGP has rapidly evolved from centralised ownership to a franchise model that has attracted celebrities and institutional investors alike. Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds recently acquired the Australian team, while a consortium of sports industry leaders took control of the Italian entry. Professional services firm Deloitte will manage the selection process for the two new teams, with initial bids closing in mid-August and final decisions expected by early September. Wall Street investment powerhouse Ares Management has sailed into partnership with Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe, acquiring a minority stake in the France SailGP Team - where old rivals suddenly find themselves in the same boat. The $US546 billion asset manager, which counts Atletico Madrid among its sports investments, now shares an ownership table with Mbappe's Coalition Capital in the high-speed sailing franchise, creating a curious alliance between the Spanish capital's two soccer teams. "We are thrilled to enter the league and join the France SailGP Team's existing owners group at this inflection point," said Jim Miller, Co-Lead of Ares' Sports, Media and Entertainment strategy, whose firm also holds stakes in Inter Miami and McLaren Racing. The investment coincides with SailGP revealing it will add two new national teams for its 2026 season, expanding to 14 flying catamarans that rocket across global waters at speeds approaching 100 km/h. "The investment in our French team by an organisation with a stellar portfolio underlines the strength of SailGP's global league model," said league managing director Andrew Thompson. One of the six original SailGP Teams, the French team is spearheaded by driver Quentin Delapierre who assembled a stellar crew line-up when he took over as driver in Season 2. Known for executing stellar starts and performing in wild and windy conditions, the team holds the SailGP racing speed record of 99.94 km/h set in Saint Tropez, Season 4. France are currently sixth in the standings after a recent podium finish in New York. Spain, led by Olympic champion Diego Botin, top the 2024–25 season standings with 46 points. The next race comes at the British Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth on July 19–20. Founded in 2019 by Oracle's Larry Ellison and sailing great Russell Coutts, SailGP has rapidly evolved from centralised ownership to a franchise model that has attracted celebrities and institutional investors alike. Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds recently acquired the Australian team, while a consortium of sports industry leaders took control of the Italian entry. Professional services firm Deloitte will manage the selection process for the two new teams, with initial bids closing in mid-August and final decisions expected by early September. Wall Street investment powerhouse Ares Management has sailed into partnership with Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe, acquiring a minority stake in the France SailGP Team - where old rivals suddenly find themselves in the same boat. The $US546 billion asset manager, which counts Atletico Madrid among its sports investments, now shares an ownership table with Mbappe's Coalition Capital in the high-speed sailing franchise, creating a curious alliance between the Spanish capital's two soccer teams. "We are thrilled to enter the league and join the France SailGP Team's existing owners group at this inflection point," said Jim Miller, Co-Lead of Ares' Sports, Media and Entertainment strategy, whose firm also holds stakes in Inter Miami and McLaren Racing. The investment coincides with SailGP revealing it will add two new national teams for its 2026 season, expanding to 14 flying catamarans that rocket across global waters at speeds approaching 100 km/h. "The investment in our French team by an organisation with a stellar portfolio underlines the strength of SailGP's global league model," said league managing director Andrew Thompson. One of the six original SailGP Teams, the French team is spearheaded by driver Quentin Delapierre who assembled a stellar crew line-up when he took over as driver in Season 2. Known for executing stellar starts and performing in wild and windy conditions, the team holds the SailGP racing speed record of 99.94 km/h set in Saint Tropez, Season 4. France are currently sixth in the standings after a recent podium finish in New York. Spain, led by Olympic champion Diego Botin, top the 2024–25 season standings with 46 points. The next race comes at the British Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth on July 19–20. Founded in 2019 by Oracle's Larry Ellison and sailing great Russell Coutts, SailGP has rapidly evolved from centralised ownership to a franchise model that has attracted celebrities and institutional investors alike. Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds recently acquired the Australian team, while a consortium of sports industry leaders took control of the Italian entry. Professional services firm Deloitte will manage the selection process for the two new teams, with initial bids closing in mid-August and final decisions expected by early September.

AU Financial Review
4 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
Top executives see take-home pay stagnate amid golden parachute slump
The take-home pay of the country's top 100 chief executives has largely flatlined over the past decade, pushed lower by a slump in multimillion-dollar golden parachutes, research commissioned by super funds shows. The highest-paid chief executive in Australia was outside the ASX 100 – Victor Herrero, recently departed from Lovisa, the fast-fashion jewellery chain backed by billionaire Brett Blundy. The study also included those based in the United States, with News Corporation's Australian chief executive Robert Thomson topping the list with $41.9 million.