The University of Windsor secures $5M partnership with TELUS to explore 5G research in advanced manufacturing
by CM Staff
TELUS is investing $5 million as part of a multi-year agreement that began in 2020 to fuel the development of new applications for 5G technology.
WINDSOR — On Jan. 25, The University of Windsor (UWindsor) and TELUS announced the launch of a 5G connected campus and commercial lab to support advanced research with 5G technology and establish the university as a go-to centre for innovation. TELUS is investing $5 million as part of a multi-year agreement that began in 2020 to fuel the development of new applications for 5G technology. The collaboration will not only support multidisciplinary research in the agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) sectors, but will try and transform UWindsor campuses to enhance teaching, innovation and collaboration.
Beyond the development of the 5G commercial lab, the central space in the Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering and Innovation will be named the TELUS Atrium. Initial joint projects include:
Equipping connected vehicles for cross-border travel using 5G
- Working with the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and policy makers to better equip connected vehicles to solve cross border challenges, including congestion and supply chain obstacles, using 5G.
Developing new cybersecurity applications for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs)
- In collaboration with Mitacs, a nonprofit national research organization, this project will explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning to identify potential vulnerabilities and access points in CAVs, enhancing safety and security.
Exploring the effective use of AI and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors in high-tech greenhouses to enable more efficient food production
- UWindsor has partnered with Horteca to launch a two-acre, fully-operational connected research greenhouse in Harrow, Ontario. Using 5G network technology, the greenhouse will use IoT and compute capabilities to make food production more scalable, while reducing cost and footprint.
“By expanding our partnership with TELUS, University of Windsor students and faculty members will have further opportunities to engage in meaningful research and sponsored participation in beneficial, industry-collaborative events and activities,” says Chris Houser, Interim Vice President Research & Innovation, UWindsor. “As they invest in 5G infrastructure and business resources, TELUS has demonstrated leadership in facilitating the growth of IoT in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health, smart cities, automotive applications, and artificial intelligence to name a few. The University’s strong partnership with TELUS will support industry to further address real-world needs in everything from consumer electronics, to automobiles and home appliances, to industrial sensors and automation in manufacturing, to air and water quality sensors in environmental monitoring.”
The agreement will build on the strength of existing partnerships to provide UWindsor and industry and community partners with the infrastructure, expertise and processes to enable new collaborations driving future public-cooperation agreements.
