RMIT experts available to talk to media about a range of topics relating to the year ahead

Drone technology and the Uber Air trial

Dr Matthew Marino (0403 159 470 or matthew.marino@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: drones, drone technology, drone operations, drone regulations in Australia

“The Uber Air concept has been generating a buzz from both the public and industry since Melbourne was named the third city to test the aerial ride sharing scheme colloquially known as “flying taxis”. 

“Regulatory bodies and invested parties are actively establishing relationships with research institutions such as RMIT in the effort to make Uber Air a reality. 

“The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is collecting data and forming new relationships with interested Australian entities to utilise available research to inform the Melbourne based trials planned for the near future. 

“The manufacture of the passenger-carrying drone is already underway, with the vehicle design looking both innovative and promising.

“Civil engineering firms are also showing significant interest and investment, with ports planned for new high-rise structures. 

“All in all, progress is underway to make the creation of the next big sector in modern aviation a reality.”

Dr Matthew Marino is an aerospace engineer and co-leader of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research Team at RMIT. He is an expert in drone technology and operations and has had numerous research publications and industry collaborations in these areas.

Household energy practices

Dr Andrew Glover (0407 951 790 or andrew.glover@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: household energy practices

“Is the energy industry the next service set for disruption from the peer to peer revolution?

“Instead of purchasing energy from an energy retailer, households may be able to buy and sell energy with other households using an online platform.

“Most of us are familiar with the way online trading platforms like AirBnB and Uber have disrupted established industries in recent years.

“The obvious question is: what’s next? Our research shows that it may be the energy industry.

“More and more households are installing solar panels and batteries, meaning that they are increasingly producing and storing energy, not just using it.

“Households with excess energy will be able to sell it to others in their area, potentially at cheaper rates than they’d get from a traditional energy company.

“In 2020 energy companies and households should be paying attention to the peer-to-peer revolution.” 

Dr Andrew Glover is a social researcher at RMIT University’s Digital Ethnography Research Centre (DERC)). He has an interest in the sustainability of air travel and household energy practices and is currently researching how remote work arrangements are being integrated into everyday life in Australia.

Social media and productivity trends

Dr John Lenarcic (0410 131 580 or john.lenarcic@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: Social media, the internet of things, tech gadgets, and human computer interaction

“In 2019 the TikTok social media app made 15 second ultra-short videos the hot item of the moment and 2020 could see a surge in apps inspired by the phenomenon, especially given security concerns in the US regarding the China-based app.

“Expect micro productivity apps to start trickling out, which is a concept that Microsoft Research has been working on and involves systems that facilitate micro-tasks by getting big tasks done with lots of little ones.

“For example, can you write a novel in bits and pieces while you are stuck in daily traffic jams and not cause an accident in the process?

“Digital glasses could just have a second chance at taking off in 2020. 

“Amazon has their Alexa-enabled Echo frames and Bose has their audio sunglasses with augmented reality capabilities.

“With the Echo, a wearer will be able to talk to their spectacles and ask Alexa questions, while with the Bose, the sunglasses will provide the user with a personal listening experiencewithout the need for ear buds or headphones, providing a soundtrack to their daily lives.

“Facebook has partnered with Ray Ban to design augmented reality glasses as well while Google and Microsoft are also working on more design-conscious eye wear that will exploit augmented reality and virtual reality technologies.”

Dr John Lenarcic is a lecturer in the School of Business Information Technology at RMIT. His research interests include the philosophy of information systems, human-computer interaction and the cyber-anthropology of social networking. He is a frequent media commentator on issues dealing with social and ethical aspects of information technology with an emphasis on social media.

Transport, planning and infrastructure

Dr Andrew Butt (0408 369 097 or andrew.butt@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: regional development, urban population, liveability and transport

“Transport will remain a critical issue for Melbourne and Victoria with rapid population growth and a growing footprint pushing the city towards the five-million mark in 2020.

“We are witnessing a period of intense transport investment in road and rail, but with many of these projects still in the pipeline, it is likely to be another year where increasing congestion and ‘construction blitzes’ will shape the experience of commuting in cities and regional areas.

“With major projects like the Westgate Tunnel, Melbourne Metro and North East link in planning or construction, scope for solutions to some of these issues are in train, however, by the time these three projects are complete, we anticipate almost one-million more Melburnians, almost the size of Adelaide, will be added to Melbourne within a decade.”

 Dr Andrew Butt is an Associate Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning at RMIT’s School of Global, Urban and Social Studies. His teaching and research focus on rural and regional issues and growth issues on the metropolitan fringe. He is currently a committee member of the Planning Institute of Australia (Victoria).

Consumer and marketing trends

Associate Professor Con Stavros (0411 231 371 or con.stavros@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: retail marketing, consumer spending, consumer trends, consumptive practices, branding and promotion

“The new decade brings around a range of incremental changes for marketers who must adapt to a post-digital lifestyle where consumers demand instant gratification, are increasingly brand promiscuous, are consistently connected by an Internet of Things and expect brands to show social leadership, particularly when it comes to environmentalism.

“I see incremental change driven by 'Generation Now' a group of consumers who in the post-millennial environment are completely reshaping the brand and product experience.

“Within Australia we will almost certainly see far more brands promoting their environmental credentials as a top-line piece of communication to consumers in advertising and sales.

“Similarly, the trend of brands needing to have a social opinion on every matter - irrespective of their business - is unlikely to abate.

“The post-digital world provides brands with enormously valuable data on consumers, but the cost (aside from consumer privacy) is that brands must also open up and detail their inner thoughts and workings. The modern communication world is two-way.

“As the local economy stutters and splutters, prepare for the incessant process of sales promotions as consumers are cajoled into purchasing with the offer of 'once in a lifetime' deals.

“Brands, particularly retailers, have painted themselves in a corner by overusing sales promotions, rendering them impotent marketing weapons.”

Associate Professor Con Stavros is a marketing expert with a genuine passion for the FIFA World Cup. He has held the iconic trophy in his hands, been a guest at FIFA headquarters in Zurich and is acutely aware how important the event is to FIFA, its stakeholders and the billions of people who watch the event across the world. An Associate Professor in the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, he is also the editor-in-chief of the international journal Sport, Business and Management and has researched and published extensively in sport. 

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