Professor Sarath Kodagoda is a visionary robotics/mechatronics leader with over 25 years’ experience spanning industry and academia. As the inaugural Director of the UTS Robotics Institute, he leads a team of 70+ researchers advancing human centric robotic and physical AI solutions, and has secured more than $20 million in competitive R&D funding.

Sarath has built and sustained deep, long-term industry partnerships, including a 15-year collaboration with Sydney Water and engaged with over 60 industry partners to explore cutting-edge robotics and AI solutions to real-world challenges. His innovations have earned nine major national and international awards, over 200 peer-reviewed publications, and deployment of operational robotic systems in critical infrastructure sectors.

A dedicated educator, Sarath has been instrumental in developing UTS’s mechatronics/robotics courses, integrating research-inspired and active learning concepts into the curriculum, and designing and implementing the University’s innovative Robotic Remote Lab teaching facilities. His teaching excellence has been recognised with three major awards, including the prestigious UTS Medal for Teaching & Research Integration (2018) and a 2015 Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning from the Australian Government’s Office for Learning and Teaching.

Recognised for his thought leadership, Sarath has shaped national robotics roadmaps, served as NSSN Ambassador, and held senior governance roles (president, vice president and secretory spanning over 6 years) in the Australian Robotics & Automation Association (ARAA). A regular keynote speaker, media contributor, and panelist including at SxSW Sydney, he is a passionate advocate for building Australia’s robotics capability and global competitiveness.