Geotab and Swinburne University of Technology have officially opened the Geotab-Swinburne Transport Innovation Hub in Melbourne, creating a new centre for transport research, innovation and industry collaboration focused on connected mobility, artificial intelligence, sustainability and road safety.
Located at Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus, the new facility represents the next stage of a partnership first announced in 2025 and signals a growing commitment to developing data-driven solutions for Australia’s transport sector.
The Hub has been designed as a collaborative environment where students, researchers, government agencies, startups and industry partners can work together on real-world transport challenges.
Key features include an interactive showroom showcasing Geotab’s connected vehicle technologies and AI-powered insights, an operations centre dedicated to transport research and data analysis, and a co-working space aimed at fostering collaboration across the transport ecosystem.
The launch also introduces a series of strategic research programs targeting some of the industry’s most pressing issues, including electric vehicle adoption, road safety, transport emissions reduction and mobility policy development.
By leveraging real-world telematics data and advanced analytics, the Hub aims to support evidence-based decision-making and accelerate innovation across the sector.
Alkan Ciftci, Business Development Manager at Geotab, said the initiative combines academic expertise with industry technology to help shape the future of transport in Australia.
“The opening of the Geotab-Swinburne Transport Innovation Hub represents an exciting step forward in our vision for smarter, safer and more sustainable mobility,” said Ciftci.
“By combining Swinburne’s research expertise with Geotab’s AI and connected vehicle intelligence, we are creating an environment where new ideas can be tested, insights can be scaled, and the future of mobility can be shaped collaboratively.”
Ciftci said Australia was well positioned to become a leader in AI-enabled transport innovation.
“Australia has a significant opportunity to lead in AI-powered transport innovation, and this Hub is designed to help accelerate that future,” he said.
The facility will support a broad range of activities, including applied research projects, student engagement programs, industry collaboration initiatives and policy discussions.
Professor Hadi Ghaderi, Professor of Supply Chain Innovation & Decarbonisation at Swinburne University of Technology, said the Hub provides valuable opportunities for students and researchers to engage directly with industry-leading technologies.
“Swinburne is proud to officially open the Geotab-Swinburne Innovation Hub and deepen our collaboration on research and innovation that delivers real-world impact,” said Ghaderi.
“The Hub creates new opportunities for our researchers and students to work directly with industry-leading technology and data, helping to advance research outcomes in sustainability, safety and connected mobility while developing the future workforce needed for Australia’s evolving transport ecosystem.”
The partners have identified five key objectives for the Hub:
- Advancing AI-driven mobility research through connected vehicle data and analytics.
- Supporting collaboration between researchers, government agencies, startups and transport organisations.
- Accelerating transport sustainability initiatives, including EV adoption and emissions reduction.
- Developing future talent through internships, collaborative projects and industry engagement.
- Contributing to transport policy development through data-informed research and analysis.
The announcement comes at a time when transport organisations are increasingly turning to connected vehicle technologies and artificial intelligence to improve safety outcomes, reduce emissions and optimise fleet operations.
For Geotab, the investment reinforces its long-term commitment to Australia and reflects a broader strategy of supporting local innovation ecosystems while helping develop the next generation of transport professionals.
As connected vehicle data becomes an increasingly valuable asset for transport planning and operational decision-making, the Geotab-Swinburne Transport Innovation Hub is expected to play a significant role in shaping future mobility solutions and informing transport policy across Australia.
