Founded in 2001, we are a multiple award winning, highly experienced multi-disciplinary company specialising in lean product development through rapid prototyping—operating with an expert-driven, lean team to transform ideas from concept to life. Our industry-leading team combines deep expertise, cutting-edge technology, and advanced equipment to validate emerging ideas—transforming them into market-ready hardware and software solutions.
Proudly Australian-owned and operated, we are a family-led team of high-tech specialists with roots in autonomous systems and mobile robotics research since the 1990s. Since the early 2000s, our impact has extended globally—bridging research and industry to turn cutting-edge innovations into real-world applications alongside leading organisations and research institutions worldwide.

What We Do

We provide a comprehensive suite of services, leveraging our proven template designs and software frameworks when/if needed to develop bespoke hardware, software, and AI-powered systems, including:

  • Prototyping & Product Development – From proof-of-concept to full-scale manufacturing-ready solutions.
  • Custom Electronics & Embedded Systems – Specialised circuit design, PCB layout, firmware programming, and IoT integration.
  • Software, AI & Real-Time Processing – Embedded AI, machine learning, real-time OS (RTOS), and AI-driven automation.
  • Real-Time Communications & Control Systems – Low-latency networking, deterministic control loops, and industrial automation.
  • Precision Motor & Actuator Control – Motion control firmware, feedback loops, and AI-assisted robotics.
  • IoT, Cloud & Edge Computing – Secure, cloud-integrated IoT devices with AI-powered automation and CMS.
  • Blockchain & Secure Embedded Solutions – Tamper-proof tracking, secure data storage, and digital transparency.
  • Full-Stack Web & SaaS Development – Enterprise software, ERP, CMS, and AI-driven SaaS platforms.
  • Mechatronics & Robotics – Mobile robotics, industrial automation, and AI-powered perception systems.
  • 3D CAD, Mechanical Design & Simulation – Engineering design, visualisation, and rapid prototyping.
  • Cybersecurity & Penetration Testing – Securing embedded devices, networks, and enterprise IT infrastructure.
  • Advanced Security, Surveillance & Tracking Systems – AI-powered object detection, real-time monitoring, and low-light target tracking.
As recognised service providers for Advance Queensland, Advanced Manufacturing, and Industry 4.0, we integrate embedded systems, NVIDIA technologies, AI, and edge computing to stay at the forefront of smart automation, robotics, and next-generation technology.

Why Work With Us?

  • Feedback-Driven Innovation – We specialise in functional prototypes, refining products through real-world testing.
  • Cost-Optimisation Experts – We focus on reducing unit costs to maximise product scalability and profitability.
  • Straightforward & Complex Solutions – Whether simple or highly intricate, we thrive on solving unique challenges.
  • Lean & Sustainable Team – A highly skilled, cross-disciplinary team operating with efficiency, minimal waste, and maximum impact.
  • Client Project Tools – Track progress, collaborate with our team, and review project work through your own private dashboard on COLETEK.IO.
  • End-to-End Product Development – From concept and prototyping to production, visualisation, packaging, and marketing.
  • Australian-Based Assembly Line – Supporting field testing, user validation, and market-ready production.
  • Complex System Experts – We go beyond prototyping to deliver validated, production-ready solutions built for scale.

Decades of Technical Expertise

Our team specialises in real-time, low-power, and cost-optimised technology, excelling in firmware, software, hardware, and mechanical prototyping. Whether it's embedded systems, SaaS platforms, scalable IoT, or high-performance control loops, we bring deep expertise across electronics, software, and mechanics:

  • ⚡ Low-Power, Cost-Optimised Product Design – Ultra-efficient hardware, firmware, and software for battery-powered, real-time applications.
  • 🖥️ Embedded Software & Firmware Engineering – Real-time OS (RTOS), bare-metal coding, driver development, and edge AI.
  • 📡 Real-Time Communications & Control Systems – Low-latency networking, high-speed control loops, and deterministic execution.
  • 🎧 Real-Time Audio & Signal Processing – DSP, low-MHz firmware, and high-fidelity sound engineering.
  • 🔌 Electronic Design: Circuit Schematic & PCB Layout – Multi-layer PCB design, high-speed signal integrity, and manufacturability (DFM/DFT).
  • ⚙️ Precision Motor & Actuator Control – Feedback loops, motion planning, and custom motor controllers.
  • 🛠️ Mechanical Prototyping & Industrial Design – CAD modeling, rapid prototyping, CNC machining, and 3D printing.
  • 🌍 IoT, Cloud & Edge Computing – Secure, scalable IoT firmware, cloud APIs, and AI-driven automation.
  • 🤖 AI, Computer Vision & Robotics – Autonomous navigation, machine learning models, and intelligent automation.
  • 🔒 Blockchain & Secure Embedded Solutions – Encrypted data storage, secure tracking, and digital identity verification.
  • 🛡️ Cybersecurity & IT Infrastructure – Network security, embedded device protection, and smart surveillance.
  • 🌿 Smart Agriculture & Environmental Robotics – AI-driven automation for sustainable land and resource management.
  • 💻 Full-Stack Web & SaaS Development – Bespoke SaaS platforms, CMS, ERP, and AI-powered automation.
  • 🏢 Enterprise & Cloud Software Solutions – Workflow automation, ERP, and scalable business architectures.
We typically use Linux, however we work across all operating systems and are fluent in a vast range of programming languages and CAD tools, including EDA/ECAD and MDA/MCAD—to us, it’s all the same!

Our Public News

Algorithm Experts

Hardware Experts Magic!

🎥 Our Public Work

Below is a collection of our public YouTube playlists showcasing some of the work we've made available. Please note, this represents only a small portion of what we've done. Much of our work remains private and protected under confidentiality agreements — we are often the ghostwriters behind the scenes of much New Product Development (NPD) work out there.
As Seen On TV
Conference Presentations
Hardware+Software
Product Development
Animations
Mobile Robots
AgTech Projects
RoadTech Projects
SportsTech Projects
ClimateTech Projects
HomeTech Projects
Visit Our Channel

Our Story

COLETEK began long before it was a company — it started in 1990, when Luke Cole, aged 9, built a wheeled humanoid robot out of scrap wood, salvaged electronics, and endless curiosity. That moment marked the beginning of a lifelong journey into robotics, engineering, and deep systems thinking.

Luke’s early passion for understanding how things work — and how to make them work better — led to academic accolades, including a Young Scientist Award in 1997, and placing second in advanced mathematics behind now-renowned mathematician Geordie Williamson. By the age of 17, he was already working alongside pioneers like Alex Zelinsky and Richard Hartley within the Robotic Systems Lab at The Australian National University (ANU), CSIRO, NICTA, and Seeing Machines, contributing to real-world breakthroughs in computer vision and autonomous systems.

COLETEK began as a side hustle from 2001 — a sole trader business run after hours for 12 years alongside a professional career in leading R&D labs and well-known industry companies. In 2013, Luke left industry to officially establish COLETEK PTY LTD — a lean, fast-moving company built to deliver real results across hardware, software, the cloud, security, AI, and robotics.

Over the years, Luke has led international robotics missions, collaborated with German automotive manufacturers, developed the world’s first fully autonomous tractor in 2010 for Hemisphere GPS (aka BEELINE), and built tools and systems for agriculture, defence, industrial automation, AI, and emerging technology startups.

But what makes COLETEK different isn’t just the depth of technical capability — it’s the philosophy behind it.

“Robotics is more than engineering. It’s a mirror for life. The more we understand nature, the better we can design machines — and the more we build, the more we uncover about ourselves.” ~ Luke Cole

Today, COLETEK remains a family-led, Australian-owned company with global reach. We’re grounded in Luke’s multidisciplinary expertise — spanning a broad range of skills and experience such as product development, mechatronics, embedded software, IoT, cybersecurity, Linux, cosmology, psychology, and philosophy — and driven by a shared belief that technology should be built with care, clarity, and purpose.

We don’t just prototype; we partner. We don’t just code; we question. We don’t chase trends — we build the future with intent.

If you’re solving something hard, building something meaningful, or need a lean team that can bridge vision with execution — we’re ready. Let’s bring your idea to life.

"Great things take time! Great things evolve from unique talent, focus and perseverance! We believe we provide that unique talent, focus and perseverance."

Technical Founder, Luke Cole (Bachelor of Mechatronics, Bachelor of Software Engineering)
THE "CLEAN EARTH BOT" SYSTEM

Our flagship environmental robot, thoughtfully engineered to autonomously detect and remove waste from a wide range of natural spaces. Profits from COLETEK services directly support the ongoing research, design, and development of future-forward clean-tech solutions like this — because we believe innovation should always serve both people and the planet.

Hardware Development Services

Past Project Showcase

We have done alot over the years! Some complex projects, some not so much. We enjoy diversity. We've done autonomous mobile robots, industrial automation, computer vision, software algorithms, IoT devices, IIoT devices, electro-mechanical PoCs, pure-mechanical PoCs, many prototypes, and a wide range of products. We've done such projects for research organisations, industrial leaders, startups and inventors.

Our clients are across most sectors such as consumer goods, mining, defence, agriculture, medical, space, infrastructure, manufacturing, sports, cosmetic, sex and security.

In many cases, we also produce life-like concept computer renders, product visualisations and 3D animations. This can be useful to illustrate your invention to an investor, or help with marketing material.
Electronic Prototyping

Custom electronic design services include circuit schematic design and PCB layout design in concert with the mechanical design (e.g. enclosure).

To test the design, we make a functional electronic prototype - this typically involves a PCB stencil, reflow oven, IR BGA rework station, hot air rework station, good hand skills, testing and debugging.

These days, most electronic designs include microcontrollers such as MSP430, STM32, ESP32 which require embedded software (firmware), or SoC packages integrating ARM's core designs that might require fast-booting real-time secure and reliable Linux operating systems. We chiefly do this software engineering via Linux desktop computers (also running VirtualBox for Windows and Mac OSX if/when needed).

For proof of concepts, we might use an off-the-shelf single-board-computers (SBC) such as the Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone Black. Or perhaps Arduino. Then wire up to components such as: sensors, motors, and user interface (buttons, touch screen, haptics). This way we can focus on the objectives through software development.
Mechanical Prototyping

From our experience hardware solutions and products evolve through both end user testing and innovation in a workshop. A good range of hand tools, power tools, welding equipment and machining equipment is critical. We even have a sewing machine for wearable technology!

We prototype a lot of our mechanical designs via 3D printing and CNC, however it's limited, and in some cases costly and inefficient for one-off proof of concepts for testing ideas - it these cases we might manually fabricate parts. For most machine-made multi-part prototypes, you might need to manually file, grind, drill, cut, weld or glue to make them fit - these minor tweaks can then be noted for the next design revision.

Initially - designs are typically optimised for prototyping. When ready for production. Designs are optimised for production - aka design for manufacture (DFM).

Software Development Services

A significant part of hardware development, is software development! The bulk of the hardware designs, and software to make all the hardware come to life in the real world - are done under Linux using custom-built ergonomic "cyberdesks" — AI-enhanced workstations that streamline coding, testing, and delivery. Combined with our in-house framework, this environment enables us to deliver high-performance software at startup speed.
Standard Cyberdeck

Linux all the way...

Three-way Cyberdeck

Always good to switch up!

Zero-Gravity Cyberdeck

Hardcore softdev time!