
Soulbotix Founder Jari Kemppinen first heard about the program via a referral from Advance Queensland at a tech conference in Brisbane.
“I was immediately interested in the idea of testing our technology in an environment that champions innovation,” Jari said.
“The opportunity to trial and test our life‐size AI avatar in a real‐world setting in collaboration with Sunshine Coast Council aligned perfectly with our vision for interactive AI solutions.”
The Sunshine Coast’s robust digital network and superfast connectivity provided an ideal backdrop for experimentation and growth, offering a unique opportunity to trial the life‐size AI avatar in real world settings – first with Council’s internal stakeholders, and then into the public environment of City Hall foyer in Maroochydore! For a visual insight into this journey, watch the video case study below.
This collaboration with Sunshine Coast Council resonated perfectly with Soulbotix’s vision for interactive AI solutions, empowering the team to develop and refine their service offerings and ensure their solutions are market‐ready.
The TTiP trial proved to be a game‐changer for Soulbotix, offering an invaluable opportunity to fine‐tune their life‐size AI avatar.
“Testing our technology in a live environment enabled us to quickly identify areas for improvement and transform challenges into genuine opportunities,” Jari shared.
Sunshine Coast Council’s incisive feedback and forward‐thinking suggestions drove the team to enhance the product’s applications and capabilities, making it more agile and responsive to real‐world demands.
“Their insightful feedback, and even requests for additional functionality, sparked significant enhancements – evolving our avatar from basic interactions to a truly dynamic, interactive system,” he added.
For Sunshine Coast Council, it was a great opportunity to trial cutting‐edge technology that elevates community engagement, streamlines operations and sets a new benchmark for digital innovation on the Sunshine Coast.
Sunshine Coast Council Investment Lead, Wendy Macdonald believes trials like Laura the AI Avatar can help Council and others increase workforce productivity and realise productivity gains.
“Internally, these trials demonstrate how technology can improve productivity, while externally, they showcase Council’s support for innovation and openness to business,” Wendy said.
“By promoting the Sunshine Coast as an ideal location for testing new technology, Council aims to attract investment from Australian companies. Additionally, the Sunshine Coast’s digital infrastructure, natural beauty, and supportive ecosystem are highlighted to promote tech development, fast-track product development, and gather valuable marketing intelligence.”
Ultimately, these efforts aim to attract new businesses to the Sunshine Coast, support the growth of local businesses and assist with export opportunities.
For many tech companies, bridging the gap between a promising concept and a market‐ready product can be a long journey. However, the TTiP trial has helped fast‐track Soulbotix’s product development cycle.
“The TTIP program accelerated our technology development in ways we never anticipated by offering clear guidance on the features and benefits that truly mattered to Council,” Jari said.
Testing in real‐world conditions allowed the team to swiftly pinpoint and implement improvements, streamlining their process and prioritising impactful enhancements over speculative features.
“Collaborating closely with Council and leveraging real‐time feedback enabled us to accelerate key upgrades – and the insights gained have already reshaped our long‐term roadmap for the AI avatar,” he added.
A standout benefit of the TTiP program was its transformative impact on Soulbotix’s export strategy. The trial not only refined the product but also opened the door to broader market global opportunities
“The trial served as a compelling case study, showcasing how our AI avatar performs in real‐world scenarios. Testing live boosted our confidence and granted us the international credibility to explore new markets,” Jari explained.
The exposure from the Testing Tech in Paradise program has introduced Soulbotix to fresh audiences and potential stakeholders, reinforcing the avatar’s credentials as part of a government‐backed initiative. Demonstrating that their technology can excel under diverse conditions provides a significant edge when establishing footholds in international markets. With this competitive advantage, Soulbotix is poised for future partnerships and global opportunities.
Jari described his experience working with Sunshine Coast Council as nothing short of fantastic.
“Council’s unwavering commitment to innovation and openness to emerging technologies was evident right from the start. Their proactive, collaborative approach – providing insightful feedback and fostering iterative improvements – ensured our technology seamlessly aligned with broader new Maroochydore smart city initiatives,” he noted.
Jari wholeheartedly recommends the Testing Tech in Paradise program to any company looking to develop and elevate their technological capabilities.
“Working with a forward-thinking team at Sunshine Coast Council offers a supportive environment that truly accelerates product development. It’s a brilliant opportunity to validate technology in a real-world setting and lay the groundwork for future growth. Contributing to these projects and enhancing public engagement through AI-driven solutions has been truly exhilarating,” he concluded.
Soulbotix’s journey through the TTiP program stands as a powerful testament to how targeted innovation can transform visionary ideas into robust, market‐ready solutions and provide a competitive advantage. With success stories like these lighting the path forward, it’s evident that the Sunshine Coast is far more than just a destination for sun, surf, and sand – it’s a vibrant centre for tech development.
For companies eager to push boundaries and make their mark with their emerging technology, the Sunshine Coast isn’t just a beautiful locale and enviable lifestyle – it’s a launchpad for your next big innovation. Testing Tech in Paradise offers the perfect jumping board for accelerating development and expanding your global reach.
Are you ready to transform your innovative ideas into market‐ready solutions? Now’s the time to join a dynamic, forward‐thinking community that’s already propelling companies like Soulbotix to success.