Episode 8 | Professor James Trevelyan — From Shearing Robots to Solving Global Challenges

Episode Notes:

In this episode of The Dirt, we sit down with Professor James Trevelyan — a pioneering robotics researcher, mechanical and mechatronics engineer, and inventor. James led the team behind the Shear Magic robot — one of the world's first automated sheep shearing systems — in the 1980s, and has since built a career spanning IoT, AI, engineering education, and global development.

We cover:

• The story behind the Shear Magic robot — what it was, the technical challenges the team faced, and why it never became a commercial product
• The social pushback to robotic shearing and why the concept still unsettles people today
• Whether autonomous sheep shearing could finally become a reality with modern technology
• James' pioneering work in internet-controlled robots and how IoT could help address water access and food security
• His refreshingly candid take on AI — including why he's called it "Artificial Incompetence" — and what role it might actually play in agriculture
• Lessons from his books on engineering practice that apply well beyond engineering
• How engineers can help solve poverty and food security — and his advice for building a career in agricultural technology

This is a conversation that spans decades of innovation, from shearing sheds to global food systems — with a healthy dose of wisdom on what it really means to be an engineer.

Youtube: Robot Sheep Shearing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZAh2zv7TMM

Hosts: Dr Wesley Moss and Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi

Produced by Stephanie Lye

This podcast is brought to you by The University of Western Australia's Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration. Find out more about our research or get in touch at https://www.uwa-cei.org/

Episode 7 | Linley Houwen — Inside the Venture Studio Model Shaping AgTech's Future

In this episode of The Dirt, we sit down with Linley Houwen, Perth Director of Beanstalk — a team working across deep-tech, startups, commercialisation, and agribusiness with offices across Australia and Southeast Asia. Linley takes us behind the scenes of how Beanstalk helps turn agricultural innovation into real-world impact — and gives us a window into the global agtech landscape.

We cover:

• Linley's journey into the agtech ecosystem and what drew her to the space
• What Beanstalk does and how it works with everyone from early-stage startups to large agribusinesses
• The venture studio model — what it is and why it's particularly well suited to agtech
• The global agtech landscape — startup trends and innovation across Asia, Africa, and beyond
• Where investment is flowing and which areas are attracting the most attention
• Where AI fits into the agtech investment landscape — and what technologies might matter more right now
• How building agtech for Australian agriculture differs from the rest of the world
• Practical advice for anyone thinking about founding an agtech startup
• How to know whether your startup is actually solving the right problem

Whether you're thinking about launching a startup, working in agribusiness, or just curious about how agricultural innovation gets funded and built around the world — this one's for you.

Hosts: Dr Wesley Moss and Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi

Produced by Stephanie Lye

This podcast is brought to you by The University of Western Australia's Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration. Find out more about our research or get in touch at https://www.uwa-cei.org/

Episode 6 | Dr Tash Teakle — From Lab to Launch: Turning AgTech Ideas into Real Businesses

In this episode of The Dirt, we sit down with Dr Tash Teakle, Managing Director of Agristart — a business helping agtech startups go from idea to commercialisation. Tash shares how she made the leap from a PhD in plant biology to the private sector, and what she's learned about turning good ideas into businesses that actually work for farmers.

We cover:

• Tash's journey from agricultural science and plant biology research into the world of agtech business
• What makes a strong agtech business idea — and what doesn't
• The path from concept through to commercialisation
• How grower groups work and why they matter for agtech adoption
• How startups can better connect with farmers and integrate into industry
• Her outlook on agtech and where she sees the biggest opportunities ahead

A great listen for anyone with a business idea in agriculture, or anyone curious about how innovation actually makes it from the lab to the farm gate.

Hosts: Dr Wesley Moss and Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi

Produced by Stephanie Lye

This podcast is brought to you by The University of Western Australia's Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration. Find out more about our research or get in touch at https://www.uwa-cei.org/