Technology is most powerful when driven by purpose and impact.
Dr. Nicole Robinson is an internationally recognised robotics entrepreneur, AI innovator, science communicator, and advocate for women in STEM — and the Women in AI APAC Grand Winner for 2024.
Nicole holds a PhD in Human-Robot Interaction and previously worked at the $25.6 million Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Robotic Vision. She later served as Chief Investigator and Program Leader for Human Interaction at the QUT Robotics Centre.
As Co-Founder and CEO of Lyro Robotics, she builds and deploys intelligent pick-and-pack robotic systems designed for real-world environments, helping industries automate more effectively and operate more sustainably. Under her leadership, Lyro won first place in the Unicorn Cup — the world's largest startup pitch competition — beating over 2,000 companies from 125+ cities.
Nicole is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a former Think Tank Member of the National Artificial Intelligence Centre (CSIRO). She has also lectured at Monash University, ranked among the top universities for engineering.
Nicole is an Associate Investigator with the $36 million Australian Research Council Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future initiative, applying robotics to forecast environmental change and support Antarctic science and governance. She is also an advisor to the Monash Robogals group, which has taught robotics to more than 10,000 high school students.
Featured in Forbes, MIT Technology Review, the International Business Times, Gizmodo, and on the stage of the World Science Festival Brisbane, Nicole has delivered 40+ speaking engagements to audiences of up to 2,500 people, with 85+ media mentions reaching over 40 million people nationally and internationally.
Nicole speaks on AI and robotics in industry, commercialising technologies, human-robot collaboration and teams, women in STEM, AI and robotics for the greater good, and the journey from academic research to startup success.
Talking Points
AI and Robotics in Industry
Artificial intelligence and robotics are no longer emerging technologies—they are actively reshaping how industries operate, compete, and grow. From agriculture and food supply chains to logistics and healthcare, intelligent robotic systems are solving problems that humans alone cannot.AI and Robotics in Industry
Drawing on her experience deploying robots in real commercial environments, Dr Nicole Robinson explores what it truly takes to bring AI and robotics into industry, including the opportunities, the challenges, and what comes next. This talk cuts through the hype to deliver a grounded, practical perspective on where the technology stands today and where it is headed.
Key takeaways:
- A clear understanding of where AI and robotics are creating measurable value in industry today.
- How to identify opportunities within your own organisation to adopt intelligent automation.
- The practical realities of deploying robotics—what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
- The confidence to engage in AI and robotics conversations at a strategic leadership level.
Commercialising Technologies — From Research to Startup Success
Some of the world’s most transformative companies have been built on the foundation of rigorous academic research. Yet the path from laboratory breakthrough to commercial product is rarely straightforward. Dr Nicole Robinson has walked this journey firsthand—from PhD researcher to deep-tech CEO—and understands the unique challenges and opportunities that come with commercialising frontier technology.Commercialising Technologies — From Research to Startup Success
This talk provides a candid and practical roadmap for researchers, innovators, and organisations looking to turn cutting-edge ideas into real-world impact.
Key takeaways:
- How to evaluate whether and when your research or technology is ready to be commercialised.
- The key mindset shifts required to move from researcher to entrepreneur.
- Practical frameworks for bridging the gap between academia and industry.
- Why deep-tech startups built on research have a powerful and defensible competitive advantage.
Human-Robot Collaboration and Teams
The future of work is not humans versus robots—it is humans and robots working together.Human-Robot Collaboration and Teams
Over the past decade, advances in AI and robotics have created a new generation of collaborative systems capable of working alongside people to achieve shared goals.
Dr Nicole Robinson draws on her PhD research and real-world deployments to explore what effective human–robot collaboration looks like in practice, and what organisations need to do to prepare.
From factory floors to Antarctic research stations, human–robot teams are already delivering outcomes that neither could achieve alone.
Key takeaways:
- Why human–robot collaboration outperforms either humans or robots working independently.
- The characteristics of effective human–robot teams and how to design for them.
- How to prepare your workforce and organisation for a collaborative robotics future.
- A realistic, evidence-based view of how human–robot teams will evolve across industries.
Women in STEM
Despite decades of progress, women remain significantly underrepresented in STEM—particularly in engineering, robotics, and artificial intelligence.Women in STEM
The challenge is no longer about whether women are interested; it is about whether organisations, institutions, and industries are doing enough to attract, support, and retain them.
As a woman who has navigated academia, deep-tech entrepreneurship, and public leadership, Dr Nicole Robinson brings both personal experience and practical insight to this conversation.
This talk challenges assumptions, shares what actually works, and inspires audiences to take meaningful action.
Key takeaways:
- The real barriers women face in STEM and what the data tells us.
- Practical strategies organisations can implement to build a more inclusive pipeline.
- How diversity in STEM teams drives better innovation and commercial outcomes.
- Tangible actions individuals and leaders can take to become effective advocates for change.
Video
How intelligent machines will advance civilization | Nicole Robinson | TEDxQUT
Nicole is a tremendous public speaker and it has been a pleasure having her speak at our premier events. She is energetic, passionate and inspiring but not only that, she is one of Australi ... keep reading Boab Ventures
Nicole is a fabulous and inspiring leader and speaker representing the Australian entrepreneurial, robotics and research landscapes - I always find her talks fascinating and full of pithy insights gained from hard-won experience.
She was the standout. Energetic, sharp, and genuinely passionate about what robotics and AI can do in the real world, not just in a lab. She brings the same clarity and conviction to a room of five as she does to an audience of fifty. She's one of Australia's most credible voices at the intersection of AI and robotics, and she makes complex ideas feel accessible without dumbing them down. I'd recommend Nicole without hesitation for any event that wants substance, energy, and someone who actually builds the things they talk about.
Nicole Robinson is a talented speaker who can bring to life the complexity of robotics. Her expertise is a joy to listen to as she creates the story to visualise the journey. Her ability to explain financial models and design of robotics is not just interesting but fun as she overcomes challenges in this space. If you are looking to embrace robotics as practical systems that work in real environments that deliver real value ethically, Nicole is your go-to.
Latest News
Neale Daniher: A Legacy That Will Outlast The Beast
Three Stories, One Expert: What Dr Zac Seidler's Week in the Media Tells Us About Men Right Now
How to Measure Event ROI: Why 72% of the Industry Says Outcome Measurement Is Now Essential
