HW Technologies is on the brink of a new chapter, launching its groundbreaking Underwater Acoustic Camera and redefining its role in Australia’s Industry 4.0 journey. We sat down with Managing Director, Hugo Waibel, to discuss his hands-on philosophy, the future of advanced manufacturing, and how he sees the role of people in the time of automation and AI.
From Austria to Australia – A Hands-On Journey
Hugo’s career began in Austria with Liebherr, where he worked on ship and oil-rig cranes. As a young technician, he quickly learned there was no manual for solving problems on site:
“Once you are there, you have to do it all. You do not have three or four people with you. You are the one who has to finish the job.”
That practical, problem-solving mindset has guided Hugo ever since. After moving to Australia 35 years ago, he established HW Technologies as a trusted supplier of advanced technology solutions, working with global partners while supporting local innovators.
Electronics Manufacturing – A Legacy of Support
For more than two decades, HW Technologies has supplied advanced production and test solutions to Australia and New Zealand’s electronics and acoustics sectors. Traditionally, Hugo’s team helps manufacturers specify and integrate equipment across surface-mount assembly, dispensing and jet printing, inspection and test. Beyond equipment, HWT provides installation, commissioning, training, and ongoing application support.
Unlike other suppliers, HWT sees itself as a partner for the long run. “Machines are complex and require care and maintenance. That is what we are here for.” When asked to describe HW Technologies in three words, Hugo does not hesitate:
“We support you.”
This captures the philosophy of a company built on hands-on problem solving and a genuine belief that technology only matters when people can use it effectively.
Our clients often tell us what sets us apart is our combination of deep technical expertise, genuine innovation capability, and the kind of local support you simply can’t get from overseas suppliers. When one manufacturer saves $70,000 per year through our jet printer solution, or when our Smart Klaus Industry 4.0 system eliminates human error in critical assembly processes, that’s when I know we’re making a real difference.
People at the Centre of Industry 4.0
While HWT supplies some of the most advanced manufacturing technologies in the world, Hugo is clear that Industry 4.0 cannot exist without people.
“We want our machines to be used. If we do not hear from a customer, we know they are not using the machine. That is why our team works hands-on in the workshop. We replicate problems, test solutions, and make sure the equipment delivers.”
This customer-centric approach has earned HWT a reputation for reliability. Whether installing advanced pick-and-place machines or testing adhesives for jet printers, Hugo and his team stay close to their clients, ensuring technology is applied in real, practical ways.
Smart Klaus – Automation with People in Mind
One standout solution in HWT’s portfolio is Smart Klaus, an augmented-reality workstation designed to support businesses struggling with skills shortages.
“Skilled labour is missing everywhere. With Smart Klaus, we can program the system for you. A person with no prior knowledge can follow the on-screen instructions to complete the job correctly. It is not about replacing people. It is about making sure people remain part of Industry 4.0.”
Australia’s Manufacturing Comeback
Hugo believes the landscape is shifting.
“Australia is coming back with Industry 4.0. Federal and state grants, onshoring after COVID, and defence programs are all pushing manufacturing forward. It is a steady business, but innovation is what excites us.”
That innovation includes exploring new fields such as wearable electronics and digital twins, while continuing to deliver high-tech equipment for electronics manufacturing.
Launching the Underwater Acoustic Camera
For almost 20 years, HWT has represented the German company gfai tech and its world-leading Acoustic Camera. Originally developed for sound localisation for industry and research, the technology has now taken a remarkable turn underwater.
In 2022, bioacoustics researcher Angela Stoeger, studying the vocal communication of manatees, asked Hugo’s team a simple question:
“Can your camera track underwater animal communication?”
It sparked Hugo’s engineering curiosity. Armed with a GoPro, hydrophones, and a backyard pool HW Technologies began experimenting.
“What started as an experiment grew into something much bigger. Today, after close collaboration with gfai tech and Australian defence partners, the current prototype is built for the harsh conditions faced by the Australian Navy.”
Why It Matters – Visualise Sound Beneath the Surface
Unlike traditional sonar—which reflects sound, interferes with marine life, and creates noisy data—the Underwater Acoustic Camera shows where sound comes from, visualised as a heatmap in real time.
Applications span multiple domains:
- Industrial Noise Diagnostics: Leak detection in pipelines, vibration analysis, and noise monitoring in factories.
- Drones & Submerged Systems: Tracking movement and performance of underwater drones.
- Marine Research & Aquaculture: Detecting animal vocalisations and visualising real-time communication patterns.
- Defence & Shipbuilding: Analysing mechanical noise and surveying construction sound, and supporting compliance in sensitive marine environments.
Available for hire or purchase, the system is already attracting attention from industry, research, and defence sectors alike.
Developed in Australia, Built on Global Collaboration
The Underwater Acoustic Camera combines German innovation with Australian ingenuity. It is a symbol of HWT’s mission: to take complex problems, bring people and technology together, and turn them into solutions.
Or as Hugo puts it:
“It is proof of how quickly research can become capability.”
“The UAC project has been particularly rewarding because it represents genuine Australian innovation in a field dominated by international players. Working with GFAI Tech and seeing our technology validated by the Royal Australian Navy proves that Australian engineering can lead the world in underwater acoustic detection.”
About Hugo Waibel and HW Technologies
Hugo Waibel is Managing Director of HW Technologies, a specialist provider and consultant in electronics manufacturing, acoustics and vibration monitoring, energy software solutions, and underwater acoustic camera development. With over 35 years of hands-on technical experience, Hugo leads a company that acts as both a reseller of global technology solutions and an innovator with proprietary underwater acoustic imaging systems.
Based in Sydney, Australia, HW Technologies represents world-leading partners includingMycronic developer of electronics equipment, gfai tech’s Acoustic Camera technology and Smart Klaus augmented-reality systems, while developing breakthrough innovations like the Underwater Acoustic Camera. For more information contact the HW Technologies team on info@hwtechnologies.com.au, +61 (0)2 9683 4008.