Infosys launches Living Labs innovation hub in Melbourne

Indian IT services and digital consulting giant Infosys has launched its latest innovation centre in Melbourne, the city joining a network of now more than twenty ‘Living Labs’ worldwide as only the second Asia Pacific location.

Infosys says that the new centre will enable clients and partners to ideate, prototype and test tech-driven innovations by leveraging a range of advanced technologies, digital experiences, and frameworks.

Housed within Infosys’ new state-of-the-art Docklands’ base – which spans more than 9,200 square metres across five floors – the ‘stadium-style’ collaboration and co-creation space aims to bring together clients, partners, start-ups, academia and the public sector to test use-cases for industries such as financial services, telecoms, retail, utilities, manufacturing and sports among others, along with accelerating ESG innovation.

Visitors will be able to tap into emerging technologies, including cloud, IoT, data analytics, AI, and augmented and virtual reality, the latter through extended reality experiences in a 360-degree digital-donut and Virtual Living Lab. Earlier this year, the consultancy launched its Metaverse foundry, combining expertise in immersive, interactive and experiential design with its business and tech know-how.

“Investing in this state-of-the-art space will help inspire and incubate innovative digital solutions to help support Australia’s vision to be a world leading digital economy,” said Infosys’ executive vice president and A/NZ regional head Andrew Groth on the centre’s launch. “Victoria’s dynamic innovation sector and robust education ecosystem will support Infosys’ strategy to advance digital innovation, digital skills and digital inclusion.”

Among the firm’s efforts to support digital skills development are two ongoing initiatives in Victoria, a founding partnership with the state government’s $64 million Digital Jobs program, and another with Deakin University on research and innovation. Infosys is also a long-standing partner of the Australia Open, while its human experience agency WONGDOODY has been collaborating with the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.

Infosys has altogether been active in Victoria for more than two decades, establishing its first Australian presence in Melbourne in 1999. Tim Pallas, Victoria’s Treasurer and Minister for Economic Development, said; “This continuing investment by Infosys shows that Victoria is fertile ground for major global companies, and we’ll continue to create the conditions that allow businesses to thrive and grow jobs.”