From Perth to Nagoya: Building Global Links in Engineering and AgTech

Efficiency, ergonomics and human-centred design are often associated with Japan, and these principles were brought to life during the CEI:AgER team’s visit to Nagoya University.

In April 2025, a delegation from the Centre was hosted by researchers from Nagoya University, a partner of The University of Western Australia (UWA). The collaboration builds on a PhD exchange program established in 2018 between UWA’s Faculty of Science and the Nagoya Graduate School of Bio-Agricultural Sciences.

As part of an effort to strengthen links with engineering, the CEI:AgER team spent five days engaged with a range of research groups, including GREMO (Research Institute for Mobility in Society) and P-LAB (Theoretical Plasma Physics Laboratory). The visit provided opportunities to share research, explore common interests, and identify pathways for deeper collaboration.

Dr Stuart Watt presenting CEI:AgER research and activities during the visit

The CEI:AgER team visiting the Okuma facility

Centre Director Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi was particularly impressed by the advancements in autonomous systems. “They’re leading the way in autonomous vehicle technology,” he says. “What stood out was the integration of human-centred design, particularly how these systems are being developed with an ageing population in mind, including meaningful roles for older people to engage with the operation of public transport systems to further aid adoption by older members of society.”

While the Australian agricultural context differs − fewer people, more kangaroos, and a landscape shaped by unique environmental challenges − the visit offered valuable inspiration. The team observed how creativity and systems thinking are embedded into emerging technologies in Japan.

Nagoya, regarded as Japan’s industrial powerhouse, is a hub for automotive, aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries. This was evident during visits with industry partners, where strong links between academia and industry were on display.

AgTech Lead Dr Wesley Moss highlights this connection. “I was impressed by the level of integration with industry and the scale of investment from major partners such as Toyota and Mitsubishi. It’s not something we commonly see at this level in the university sector in Australia.”

The visit also laid the groundwork for future collaborations. Dr Harrison Caddy is leading a joint initiative focused on computational modelling of root diffusion, building on expertise across both institutions and ties with leading researchers in Denmark.

CEI:AgER extends its gratitude to the team at Nagoya University for their generous hospitality and look forward to continuing a valuable partnership.