Bringing robotics research to the Mallee.
An independent robotics and aerial-systems research programme in Pinnaroo, South Australia, connecting working hardware with future investigation of autonomous navigation, computer vision, safe aerial sensing and community education.
Go2 Pro in use · R1 purchase under discussion · aerial missions proposedOur Unitree Go2 Pro platform
ItisScientific owns a Unitree Go2 Pro quadruped robot supplied through C.R. Kennedy. Our ongoing programming work includes computer-side connectivity and exploration of the robot's movement, sensing and software interfaces, providing a foundation for future autonomous robotics experiments.
Computer vision and mobile autonomy
The Go2 serves as a research platform for software control, environmental sensing, mapping, vision-assisted mobility and exploration of human–robot interaction. Future projects will be assessed against demonstrable results, not product-marketing claims.
Unitree R1: next development stage
In November 2026, ItisScientific and C.R. Kennedy resumed discussions about acquiring a Unitree R1 humanoid platform for regional outreach and research. A quotation included the R1 Basic, while the preferred configuration remains under discussion. The R1 has not yet been purchased.
Australian supplier relationship
ItisScientific values its continuing relationship with Jeff Bethell at C.R. Kennedy, who assisted with the Go2 Pro purchase and has discussed future robotics equipment and regional educational demonstrations. C.R. Kennedy also supplied digital Unitree marketing resources for outreach. In March and July 2025, Jeff shared promotional media, brochures and research-paper folders, including visual assets for regional STEM events.
Interested in purchasing Unitree equipment in Australia? We are pleased to refer potential customers to C.R. Kennedy's robotics team. ItisScientific is a customer and research user, and does not claim to be an authorised dealer or to speak for C.R. Kennedy or Unitree.
Robotics & drone photographic gallery
Our new eight-image gallery features credited supplier photographs of the Go2 Pro, Unitree R1 humanoid, Matrice 30T and SplashDrone 4. Images can be enlarged and filtered by equipment. Jeff Bethell of C.R. Kennedy shared a separate extensive Unitree media collection in March 2025, followed by educational material in July 2025. The original SharePoint links have expired, so the collection itself is not represented as available here.
Open the robotics photo gallery →
Visit C.R. Kennedy for Australian Unitree product enquiries ↗
Our interest is to help regional schools, farmers, businesses and young people discover practical applications of robotics, while developing our own scientific capabilities.
Thermal imaging and aerial platforms
DJI Matrice 30T — thermal imaging
ItisScientific owns a DJI Matrice 30T, supported by supplier records and insurance correspondence. CASA confirmed registration of a commercial RPA in the more-than-2-kg to 25-kg class on 3 January 2026; company records identify the Matrice 30T as the registered aircraft. Its thermal imaging equipment is of interest for future remote field observation, emergency location research and surveying applications, subject to the relevant flight rules.
SwellPro SplashDrone 4 — waterproof platform
Purchase and dispatch records from November 2022 establish acquisition of a SplashDrone 4 with camera and battery accessories. It offers a complementary waterproof aerial platform for future field research and outreach.
Search-and-rescue research
A proposed combined programme would investigate how thermal drone reconnaissance, ground-based robot assistance and information processing could support suitably authorised search-and-rescue teams. No emergency-service deployment or certified rescue capability is claimed.
Lightweight parcel delivery concepts
A separate feasibility direction concerns lightweight, essential-item delivery in regional locations. Any operational service would require aircraft and payload assessments, applicable CASA approvals, risk controls and appropriate coordination before flight.
CASA credentials verified: On 27 December 2025, CASA granted the founder RPA operator accreditation for excluded-category operations. On 3 January 2026, CASA confirmed registration of a commercial RPA in the 2–25 kg class, identified in company records as the Matrice 30T. This is not the same as holding a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) or a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator's Certificate (ReOC). Small excluded-category flights over 2 kg may be conducted over the operator's own land only when all applicable conditions are met; activities beyond that scope need the required additional approvals. Registration is renewed annually; the current status should be checked in myCASA.
In January 2026, Southern Mallee District Council responded to a notification about planned Pinnaroo research flights and highlighted the proximity of Pinnaroo Aerodrome and the need to comply with CASA's rules for operations near non-controlled aerodromes. This correspondence does not constitute operational approval.
Australian civil aviation rules can require approvals for beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations and drone delivery services. See CASA guidance on advanced operations.
Data science education and research
ItisScientific's founder is enrolled in the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) Master of Data Science programme. In April 2026, UniSQ staff confirmed that a self-directed research project using existing PLA spectroscopy data could be considered for MSC6100, subject to suitable supervision, scope and compliance. Further study has been postponed while the doctoral thesis is prepared for submission.
The eventual aim is to integrate data science, machine learning and robotics into the company's research programmes. The master's project has not been represented as an approved robotics programme or a completed qualification.