The NSSN is now accepting applications to support innovative, collaborative research projects that respond to the NSSN Priority Themes of Human Health, Environment & AgTech, Natural Hazards, Net Zero and Smart Places.

This month’s Sensor covers the launch of the 2026 NSSN Grand Challenge Fund, expert insights on Australia’s ageing challenge, and sensing innovations from bushfire tech to a robot that raps.

The NSW Rural Fire Service heard 26 innovative pitches featuring the latest technologies to predict, prevent and respond to bushfires at the NSSN’s recent Bushfire Research Pitch Day.

Meet Keirzo, a robot that raps, listens and learns from humans, built by Macquarie University Honary Research Fellow Dr Richard Savery to explore connection, not replacement. It’s a glimpse into the future of creativity and how humans and machines make music together.

An NSSN funded study has revealed when and where forest fuels are at their driest, offering fresh insights to improve bushfire risk assessment and prescribed burn planning across Australia.

This Ageing edition of The Sensor previews the 4th NSSN Ageing Forum and features thought pieces on technology and care, plus Australian sensing innovations in sonar, self-sensing concrete, and OLED-based quantum sensors

UBIQUT is a pre-seed UNSW spin-out developing OLED-based quantum sensors that are cheaper, more robust and scalable—unlocking new opportunities in defence, minerals exploration and healthcare.

Three research teams funded by the joint Connectivity Innovation Network and NSSN initiative — Sensing for Disasters Solutions — have presented an update on their projects at UTS.

NSSN Board Member Dr Abby Bloom is a global authority on technology in health, ageing and longevity. In this excerpt from her latest book, she lays bare the unfolding ageing crisis and offers practical, innovative and low-cost solutions to ease the burden of balancing work and care.

Glenda Gartrell (86), a consumer representative for Maridulu Budyari Gumal – the Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE) – says older Australians deserve affordable, equitable home care and access to technology that supports their independence and dignity.

With more than 200,000 older Australians waiting for home care, the 4th NSSN Ageing Forum will explore how smart technology can help meet care targets, ease workforce pressures and be embedded in aged care packages.

The infrastructure of tomorrow includes self-sensing concrete that can warn of cracks before they appear and digital twins which predict floods, the NSSN’s Women in Sensing Forum heard last week. The forum highlighted sensing technologies, next-generation materials, and equitable innovation which are shaping the future of infrastructure.